Brazilian Bernardo Rezende, known as “Bernardinho” and considered one of the best volleyball coaches in the world, has resigned as coach of the current Olympic champion France team, the French federation announced on Tuesday.

Double Olympic champion (2004 and 2016) and triple world champion (2002, 2006 and 2010) as Brazilian coach, Bernardinho agreed in April 2021 to take over from coach Laurent Tillie, who held the position for nine years.

But just seven months after the start of the adventure that was to take him to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the Brazilian tendered his resignation, accepted by the French federation, due to “personal problems that do not allow him to dedicate himself more to the French team.” .

“It is one of the most difficult and painful decisions of my entire career. I am very sad because I love this team from France, the group, the players, the ‘staff’ that we have built. I am very grateful for the trust that the federation has given me. gave throughout the year,” explained the 62-year-old coach, quoted in the French federation’s statement.

“But I have to choose this, not other possible options for my family, which remains a priority,” he added.

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