With a title in one hand and a return ticket in the other – that's how Marcello Abbondanza left South Korea after rewriting the history of the women's V-League! 💥 This was reported by volleyball.it.
In his third consecutive final, the Italian led Heungkuk Life Insurance to the championship title for the 2024/25 season – the fourth in the club's history and the first after two difficult years. Abbondanza fulfilled the dream of icon Kim Yeon-koung, who ended her career with 34 points, 7 blocks, and an MVP title in a magnificent match No. 5! 👑🔥
🗣️"This was our 'The Last Dance'. I promised her we would win together before the end. After so many difficulties – we succeeded", shared the coach.
🥲 An era ended, and Queen Kim Yeon-koung left the stage as she deserves – as a legend.
🏐 The season started with 14 consecutive wins, the best regular season, and a dramatic final won 3-2. And all of this:
without national team players,
with young and unknown players,
with 16 roster changes,
and a prediction for 10th place at the start of the season! 😲
👊 Abbondanza also endured pressure off the court:"They wanted to fire me. They sent a truck with a billboard demanding my dismissal. Now I expect a truck with apologies", he jokes.
South Korea was a challenge: a difficult environment, little patience with foreigners, and criticism for 'too much gesturing'. But he stayed. And he won. 🥇
📦 After three years – a parting. Abbondanza will not lead Heungkuk next season:"Tomorrow I return to my family in Istanbul. I haven't signed anywhere. Maybe we'll see each other at the Champions League finals…".
According to Italian media, from next season Abbondanza will take over the Fenerbahçe team, which he coached from 2013 to 2017.
photos: naver.com
