Belgian specialist Vital Heynen will be the new coach of the Chinese national volleyball team. The former Poland coach will be tasked with preparing the team for the 2028 Olympic Games and elevating Chinese volleyball to a higher level.

Experienced mentor with proven success

Heynen, who coached Poland from 2018-2021, won the world title in 2018, defending the 'white-reds'' championship trophy. After his departure from the Polish national team, he continued his career, leading the German women's team, as well as the Turkish club Nilüfer Belediyespor.

In recent months, the Belgian was linked with the Iranian national team, but ultimately chose China, where he will have a long-term task – building a competitive squad for Los Angeles 2028.

Paweł Woicki joins his staff

Former Polish setter Paweł Woicki, who has previously worked with the Belgian in Poland, is also joining Heynen's staff. Woicki, who was recently at the helm of Czarni Radom, will have an important role in the Chinese project, and is also expected to receive an independent coaching position in a local club.

"I will work long-term in China. Vital helped me get into this environment. I cannot reveal the team's name yet, but most likely I will be the head coach," Woicki told Polsat Sport.

With this appointment, China shows ambitions to develop its volleyball and be a competitor in the world elite under the leadership of one of the most successful coaches in the modern history of the sport.

Heynen has been well-known to Bulgarian volleyball fans since 2012, when he coached the German national team. Due to frequent matches between the two teams, he jokingly stated: "I already feel Bulgaria as my wife. I have one in Belgium too, but she is private, and this is my volleyball one."