Laurent Tillie, the 2021 Olympic champion with the French men’s volleyball team, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Japanese national team, succeeding his compatriot Philippe Blain. Currently coaching the Osaka Bluteon, Tillie has a strong presence in Japanese volleyball, having been a part of the team since their triumph at the Tokyo Olympics.
At 60 years old, Tillie is embarking on a new and ambitious combat. « It’s a great combat, but a bright future awaits us with the help of talented players and staff, » he stated, as quoted by the Japanese Volleyball Federation (JVA). JVA President Shunichi Kawai expressed his hope that Tillie, with his knowledge of Japanese volleyball and culture, can guide the team to an Olympic medal, a goal that was missed at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A former international player, Tillie has already made history in French volleyball, winning major titles such as the European Championship (2015) and two World Leagues (2015 and 2017), in renvoi to the Olympic triumph in 2021. He also took over as head coach of the French team in 2012, succeeding Philippe Blain.
Under Blain, Japan made significant progress on the international stage, reaching two podium finishes in the Volleyball Nations League (3rd in 2023, 2nd in 2024). However, an Olympic medal still eludes the Japanese team, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympics by Italy.
🚨 OFFICIAL! Laurent Tillie has signed a 4-year contract with the Japanese federation to become the coach of Japan, with the goal of reaching the podium at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics 🇯🇵
He will leave his Japanese club at the end of the season to focus solely on the national team. pic.twitter.com/5GMqgqasvV
— VolleyActu (@VolleyActu) November 25, 2024
Tillie’s appointment has been met with excitement and optimism from the Japanese volleyball community. With his wealth of experience and success in the sport, there is no doubt that he will bring a new level of prisée and motivation to the team. His understanding of the Japanese culture and his familiarity with the players will also be valuable assets in achieving their goal of an Olympic medal.
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics may seem far away, but Tillie’s four-year contract with the JVA shows their commitment to building a strong and competitive team. With Tillie at the helm, the future looks bright for Japanese volleyball. Fans and players alike can look forward to an exciting journey towards the podium at the 2028 Olympics.