End of suspense! This Tuesday, March 29, the French Volleyball Federation announced the appointment of Andrea Giani at the head of the Blues. Reference – as a player and coach – in the middle of volleyball, the Italian, 52 years old on April 22, has the mission to maintain the French team on the roof of Olympus and to keep in Paris in 2024 the gold medal won last summer in Tokyo. The current Modena coach succeeds the Brazilian Bernardo Rezende, who abruptly resigned from this position last week for “family” and “personal” reasons. While playing in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League, with his Polish club Jastrzębski Węgiel, on Wednesday evening, the passer Benjamin Toniutti, captain of the Blues, took the time to reconsider the appointment of Giani.
In the quest for a new coach, have you taken part in the discussions with the Federation?
BENJAMIN TONIUTTI. We knew that the Federation was busy finding a new coach, we discussed it. But it is the decision of the Federation. We couldn’t afford to wait any longer, the first weekend of the VNL (the world league) is in two months (June 7).
What is your first reaction?
The Federation was undoubtedly not insensitive to the interest that Andrea Giani had in the France team. He was already a candidate for the succession of Laurent (Tillie) last year. He was already on the shortlist. Applying again convinced the Federation. It proves his motivation in addition to his experience and his track record. We feel that it was a real desire, a dream for him. It is reassuring for us too.
What do you know of him?
He has a status, an aura, an impressive track record. He has an incredible experience as a player and a coach. He brought Slovenia (in 2015 against… France) and Germany (in 2017) to two European finals. He is a coach with a lot of charisma. He rubbed shoulders with us in international tournaments, so he already knows us a little. His appointment makes sense. He can bring us a lot. It was the best solution to replace Bernardo, even if it is never easy to succeed him because he is considered, by many, the best coach of all time in volleyball.
The appointment of Giani alleviates the disappointment of seeing Rezende leave the Blues?
We didn’t expect Bernardo’s decision, it’s more than a disappointment, it was a real blow. Bernardo was the right person because there are the Games in Paris and he had already won the Games at home, in Rio, he was clearly the coach who could bring something to this team and to French volleyball. But the Federation reacted immediately. Giani ticks a lot of boxes.
What is your relationship with him?
When I was young, he was one of the players I watched the most. He won everything with Italy (except the Olympics, despite two finals in 1996 and 2004). I do not know him personally, but I have already had the opportunity to discuss with him during international competitions. We talked in Italian, but I think he will want to learn French. He may have already started with Earvin (Ngapeth) to Modena (He is laughing).
Did Earvin Ngapeth play a role in this nomination?
Earvin meets him every day in the club, like Jenia (Grebennikov) or Trevor (Clevenot) before. I think he was consulted to see if he could match our style of play. I’m not worried.
Did you tickle Laurent Tillie to encourage him to take over the France team?
(He smiles). No, he moved on. To finish like that, with the Olympic title, is the perfect end to his adventure. He will remain the coach who marked French volleyball with the first international titles.
Are you impatient to find the Blues and start this new adventure?
I have an end to the season with a lot of stakes (his team is first in the Polish championship and is in the semi-finals of the Champions League) but yes, of course. It’s a new start. We will have to get to know each other, to manage the rest periods, to arrive in good shape for the World Championship (from August 26 to September 11). It’s the only competition where I haven’t won a medal, it’s an important meeting for me.