Hristo Zlatanov is no longer the sports director of Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza. This became clear after the presentation of the technical management for the new season. Today, the last two new names in the staff were announced – Roberto Rotari, who will be assistant coach, and Antonio Mariano – scoutman.

Roberto Rotari

The team presented a new, even more ambitious three-year plan, which aims to establish them at the top in Italy, trying to take another step forward. Gianluca Galassi is expected to be one of the main pillars of the new Piacenza. The world and European champion with the "Squadra Azzurra" signed a three-year contract and has the same ambitions as the "red-and-white" club.

As part of the changes, the sports-technical management has been updated, as announced by Elisabetta Curti, the club's president. Hristo Zlatanov remains general manager but will focus on business. His place as sports director is taken by Nini De Nicolo, who will have full autonomy in the sector. Alessandro Fei remains team manager. More specifically, Zlatanov will be responsible for communication with sponsors and increasing their number, striving to boost the number of club supporters. He will also be responsible for the logistics of the "Palabancasport" hall, which last year hosted a total of more than 50,000 spectators for the season, will strive to improve attendance, and will continue to have institutional representation. Zlatanov will also be in charge of managing the club's staff.

De Nicolo, on the other hand, will focus on the sports part, with the aim of allowing the players to give their best on the court.

Nini De Nicolo

"After the end of the season, we asked ourselves what could be improved, because often the difference between victory and defeat is made by the details," said Elisabetta Curti. "That's why we believe that the division of roles can allow our professionals to perform in the best possible way and, most importantly, can help both the company and the team grow."

Elisabetta Curti and Andrea Anastasi

Zlatanov, for his part, recalled his debut in 2018 and the steps taken in recent seasons up to the victory in the Italian Cup last year. "The club has grown and we have expanded the youth sector, now we have a different structure and many more people to manage. We have about ninety sponsors, we want to increase their number even more and improve all the services we provide, while continuing to look to the future," Zlatanov summarized.

Hristo Zlatanov

Hristo Zlatanov is expected to arrive in Sofia next week to watch his son Manuel, who is part of the "Squadra Azzurra" for the U18 Men's European Championship, which Bulgaria is hosting.

Here are the names of Piacenza's new sports and technical management:

HEAD COACH

Andrea Anastasi

ASSISTANT COACH (2ND)

Roberto Rotari (new)

ASSISTANT COACHES

Matteo Bologna

SCOUTMAN

Antonio Mariano (new)

DOCTOR

Carlo Segalini

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Riccardo Anfoso

ATHLETIC TRAINER

Davide Grigoletto

OSTEOPATH

Giovanni Berzioli

TEAM MANAGERS

Alessandro Fei

SPORTS DIRECTOR

Nini De Nicolo (new)

photos:piacenzasera.it,ivolleymagazine.it,gazzetta.it and Nikolay Varadinov