Stefano Lavarini has officially returned to lead Fenerbahçe Medicana. The Turkish giant announced the Italian as head coach for the 2026/2027 season just hours after his departure from Numia Vero Volley Milano and the release of Marcello Abbondanza.
For Lavarini, this is his second stint at Fenerbahçe. He previously coached the team during the 2023/2024 season and left excellent memories in Istanbul, having won the Sultanlar Ligi title and the Turkish Cup, and reaching the semifinals of the Champions League.

"Stefano Lavarini, who knows the Fenerbahçe family and our supporters closely and with whom we have already experienced championship successes – we say to you: 'Welcome back to our family'. We wish you success and a season full of championship titles," Fenerbahçe wrote.
The 46-year-old Italian continues to simultaneously be the head coach of the Polish women's national team, which he has led since 2022. Under his leadership, the Polish women won three consecutive bronze medals in the Nations League in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Lavarini brought Poland back to the Olympic stage after a 16-year absence.

Thus, an extremely dynamic coaching reshuffle, officially unfolding within August 14, was concluded. First, Milano announced the departure of Stefano Lavarini, then Fenerbahçe released the head coach of the Bulgarian women's national team, Marcello Abbondanza, and a little later, Numia Vero Volley introduced the head coach of our men's national team, Gianlorenzo Blengini, as Lavarini's successor. The last move is now also a fact – Lavarini has returned to Fenerbahçe and the coaching domino has fallen completely.

photo and graphic: volleyweek.bg