Stephane Antiga is among the specialists approached by the French Volleyball Federation in their search for a new head coach for the women's national team. However, the coach of Poland's Bogdanka LUK (Lublin) has not confirmed interest in the offer.
The information was confirmed by Marc Francastel, Director of Sports Performance at the French Federation, in an interview with RMC Sport. The French are looking for a successor to the Spaniard Cesar Hernandez, with whom they parted ways after unsatisfactory results last summer.
"Currently, the coach we contacted has not confirmed interest in taking over the national team. The same applies to Stephane Antiga, with whom we also established contact," explained Francastel.
According to Polish media, Antiga has declined the opportunity to lead his compatriots and will continue his work at Bogdanka LUK (Lublin), with whom he has a contract until the 2026/2027 season.
The French specialist took over the Lublin team in 2025, replacing the Italian Massimo Botti. Already in November, Antiga won the Polish Supercup, and this season he will try to bring the championship title back to the club.

Antiga has significant experience in both men's and women's volleyball. His greatest success remains the world title with the Polish men's national team in 2014. Subsequently, he also led the Canadian national team, with whom he won bronze medals in the World League in 2017.
In women's volleyball, the Frenchman worked with Developres (Rzeszow), and in the 2024/2025 season, he also spent time with the Italian Savino Del Bene (Scandicci). After returning to Poland, he led Developres to the championship title in 2025.
The search for a new head coach in France began after the decision not to extend Cesar Hernandez's contract. Under his leadership, the French women finished 17th in the Nations League in 2026, and at the European Championship, they were eliminated in the round of 16 after a defeat to Greece.
The French Federation is already considering several candidates, and the new coach is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The upcoming season is particularly important for the national team, which will participate in the Nations League and the World Championship in 2027.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov