Poland men's national team coach Nikola Grbić expressed serious concerns about the proposed changes to the international volleyball calendar. In an interview for "Przegląd Sportowy Onet", published on November 9, the Serbian specialist warned that the new organization of competitions could increase the workload of volleyball players, create additional difficulties for clubs, and call into question the ability of coaches to combine their work at club and national level.
"The proposed calendar is not favorable. It contains many things that will only worsen the situation of the players, especially those who play for national teams. In my opinion, many of FIVB's decisions are dictated by the desire to increase revenue. Of course, I understand the desire to popularize our sport, but the question is at what cost," Grbić stated.
According to the Poland coach, the workload of leading volleyball players has already reached alarming levels, and a potential increase in the number of matches could deepen the problem.
"I am not against this idea, but we need to find a balance, because never before have so many of the best volleyball players in the world been injured. The more matches there are, the more often such situations will arise. If we do not give volleyball players the opportunity to rest, coaches, federations, and the clubs themselves will find themselves in a difficult position," he warned.
Grbić also expressed doubts about the ability of national teams to participate in all international tournaments with their best players.
"I believe the result will be different from what FIVB expects. The leadership of the world federation wants teams to arrive at every tournament with their strongest squads, but with such a calendar, this will not be possible. I only hope that FIVB will realize this, because the burden on the players is enormous," the Serbian specialist added.
He paid particular attention to coaches who simultaneously manage club and national teams. With the proposed relocation of world championships to the winter months, such a combination could prove significantly more difficult.
"If I were in the shoes of club executives, I would think twice about appointing a coach who combines two positions. Because in the middle of the club season, this coach will have to switch to working with the national team for a month and a half. How can this be combined?" Grbić asked.
A similar working model currently exists in the Bulgarian national team. Gianlorenzo Blengini combines his position as Bulgaria's coach with that of head coach of the women's Vero Volley Milano in the Italian championship.

Blengini's current contract with the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, however, is until 2028, while changes to the international calendar are planned for the period after the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Therefore, the reform does not directly affect his current commitment to the national team. Such a question would arise if the Italian specialist continues his work with Bulgaria after the Olympic cycle, including in the event of a potential qualification and successful performance of the national team in Los Angeles.
Among other specialists who currently combine club and national commitments are Massimo Bott, coach of Germany and mentor of Poland's Asseco Resovia, Daniele Santarelli, who leads the Turkish women's national team and Italy's Conegliano, as well as Giovanni Guidetti, who coaches Canada and Turkey's Vakıfbank.
Grbić emphasized that the proposed reform creates difficulties at various levels and called for dialogue among all stakeholders.
"The new calendar complicates the situation at various levels. I understand FIVB's idea, but I am a proponent of consultations and discussing its strengths and weaknesses. If the FIVB leadership introduces the calendar without any debate, it will create many problems," the Poland coach stated.
The International Volleyball Federation has already announced that it is preparing a second version of the proposed calendar, and the final parameters of the reform are still unknown.

photos: Nikolay Varadinov