I haven’t spoken with the president of Skra but I’ve talked with my agent about the situation in Belchatow – said Andrea Giani. Italian also talked about his current experience and about his goals.
I suppose the proposal from Skra Bełchatów wasn’t the only one you received. Do you consider to accept it? Maybe you’ve contacted with some other coaches who work in Poland about working conditions here?
Andrea Giani: – I haven’t spoken with the president of Skra but I’ve talked with my agent about the situation in Bełchatów. I have received a few other offers, and if someone from Skra contact with me I will consider this proposal and may accept it.
I spoke with some players and coaches and everyone told me that in Poland is a very good environment for volleyball.
Have you had some other offers from Poland? And how about Italian market? You’ve never player abroad so I guess staying in Italy is a priority for you.
From Poland at this moment I haven’t received any concrete offers, while I had a few proposals from Italy. It is true that I’d like to stay in Italy, but it is possible that if I receive an interesting offer from abroad, I will accept it.
During the last year you were resting from volleyball or participating in some trainings?
No, in this period I’m still learning. I also started working with young players.
You’ve became a coach just after finishing career as a player and you’ve started from really high level: Modena was your first club and you’ve achieved great success winning the Challenge Cup. Weren’t you a little bit stressed?
In the first year of my job as a coach I had to learn to look at the volleyball with a different eyes. But I was lucky that I had a really good team, and also the staff supported me very much.
After Modena you’ve worked in Roma, was working with M. Roma more demanding? You’ve started in Serie A2, you had a little weaker team with young players.
It is true that M. Roma was a weaker team than the team of Modena. Volleyball in Rome, however, wasn’t at low level. For example we competed in Serie A2 with Pallavolo Padova, trained by Bernardi, with Kubiak in team. But then we won the Serie A2 and Coppa Italia A2 and we were promoted to Serie A1. Unfortunately, two years later, M. Roma was closed.
Can you say that in one of this clubs you’ve learned more?
I have learned a lot in both of these teams. Modena is the cradle of volleyball, but the experience that I’ve gained in Rome is very valuable to me.
You’ve also worked with Mauro Berruto with Italian National Team. Will it be continued this season?
The work with national team was a beautiful experience for me. We played in the final of the European Championships in 2011, a year later, during the Olympic Games in London, we have won bronze medals. That’s behind us, and now, with the Berruto and Brogioni, we’re starting a new project.
How would you compare working with club and with NT? Tomaso Totolo told me that club is professional and NT is also about the heart. Do you agree with him?
As a player and as a coach, I have to say that both professionalism and passion are equally important in both cases. This is fundamental value.
You’ve started also work with Italian NT under 23. Could you tell something more about that and project Rio 2016?
I believe in young players and I want to work with them. In April we started training with two volleyball groups: the senior and the players under twenty-three years old. In June, with my team U-23 I will participate in the Olympic Mediterranean.
As for the Rio 2016 project, with Berruto we’re selecting new young players and the U-23 is important for this project.
You’re one of the most successful volleyball players. In your collection of trophies only Olympic gold is missing. So for now what are your aims? Do you want to score the Olympic gold medal as a coach?
Yes, to win the gold medal with a national team of Italy at the Olympics is one of my goals, but not the only one. I’d like to continue my work at the club level and continue to gain new experience, increase my skills as a coach.
You’ve played as a middle blocker and as a receiver. Changing positions is individual but in your opinion is it good for players?
Russian national team coach, who won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in London, changed the roles of two players during the match, which brought them success. To have in your volleyball team players who aren’t afraid to change positions and who can find themselves in different roles, it’s really big advantage.
source: siatka.org
