It’s official – Bernardo Rezende at helm of France National Team after Tokyo Olympics!

The name of Laurent Tillie’s successor at the helm of the France National Team is officially known: Bernardo Rezende ‘Bernardinho’!
The rumors are confirmed: a true legend of Brazilian and international volleyball, who has been an Olympic medalist 7 times (one-time as a player, 6 times as a coach) and won two volleyball titles in the event – in 2004 and 2016 – will take over the France Volleyball Team this summer.
More precisely, the 61-year-old expert will succeed Tillie after the Olympic Games in Tokyo and, as it was projected, lead the team in the coming period, including Paris 2024.

The current head coach of the women’s club in his home country, Sesc RJ Flamengo, began his coaching career on the international scene in 1990, commanding the Brazil Women’s National Team first (until 2000) and then the Brazil Men’s National Team (until 2016). With the latter, he claimed two Olympic titles (2004 and 2016), and 8 South American Championships and FIVB World League each.

“I’m very honored that the French Federation accepted my candidacy. This decision wasn’t easy because it requires some personal sacrifices but, when I look at this France team and its evolution today, I’m very enthusiastic about the idea of being able to bring my expertise to it in order to move towards a single common goal: the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Paris. It’s a real challenge that awaits us. This team has the potential and I’d like to highlight the admirable work that Laurent Tillie has done with his players over the past 9 years. I want to continue this work, to push the limits and capacities of each one, to continue to make them grow as athletes and human beings. It’s a necessary step. But, for now, there can only be one goal: the Tokyo Olympics. So I’m going to let Laurent, his staff, and his players work to put on the best performance in Tokyo. They have the capacity and the talent,” Bernardinho stated upon being officially appointed to the new charge.