Following the official decision of the Management Board of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, Marcello Abbondanza is the new head coach of the women's national team. The Italian specialist, who has already worked in Bulgaria over a decade ago, signs a two-year contract with an option for one more, and the project has a horizon until 2028 and is aimed at rejuvenation, stability, and the gradual building of a new backbone for the team.
The Selection: commission, secret ballot, and postponed decision.
The selection procedure involved a secret ballot vote, where each member of the Management Board nominated only one candidate. Abbondanza received the majority of the votes.
Previously, a special BFV commission held individual meetings with all candidates, during which they presented their visions, goals, and methods for working with young female athletes.
The decision for the appointment was postponed by one week after a new candidacy was received, in order to consider all proposals equally.
"All candidates had a similar concept – long-term work with young people and building a sustainable model. Abbondanza proposed the most comprehensive plan and was chosen by a majority," explained BFV President Lyubomir Ganev.
Abbondanza's Staff: Turkish Assistant and Bulgarian Core.
The Italian's first assistant will be Ahmetcan Erşimşek, head coach of the champion Maritsa (Plovdiv), who is leaving his position as Giovanni Guidetti's assistant with the Canadian national team to join the project.
The BFV will also propose Bulgarian coaches for inclusion in the staff, with an emphasis on training and development of local personnel. According to the requirements of the International Federation (FIVB), the team will mandatorily include a female coach – an assistant, a strength and conditioning specialist, or a statistician.
"Our goal is to create a strong Bulgarian coaching backbone around Abbondanza, so that our specialists can grow and be part of the process," stated Lyubomir Ganev.
Preparation and Organization.
The Federation has until November 17 to submit the annual program of the women's national team to the Ministry of Sports. A base for the camps has not yet been chosen, as this will be decided after Abbondanza's arrival in Bulgaria and coordination of the sports and technical needs.
"We have never chosen the camp location in advance – we always consider the needs of the team and the available infrastructure," Ganev clarified.
Abbondanza is expected to arrive in Bulgaria at the end of November, when he will give his first press conference and present his team and concept for working with the national team.
Goals and Horizon until 2028.
| Year | Main Goals |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Retain place in the Nations League (VNL) and rank among the top ten at the European Championship. |
| 2027 | Place in the top 12 of the Nations League and rank between 10th-12th place at the World Championship. |
| 2028 | Reaching the final phase of the Nations League and a place in the top 8 of the European Championship |
Analysis of the numbers:
The plan is moderate but strategic. Bulgaria is ranked 25th in the world, and the goal is to enter the top 15 by the end of the Olympic cycle. This will provide a basis for attacking an Olympic quota during the 2029–2032 period.
Coach's freedom and responsibility
Lyubomir Ganev clarified that all candidates, including Abbandanza, were informed that there is no requirement for full-time employment with the national team. The new head coach will be able to combine the position with club work, as is the case with the men's team.
At the same time, he and his staff will have complete freedom to determine which athletes should be called up for training camps and competitions.
“The Federation sets the goals, but the sport-technical decisions are entirely within the coach's authority,” Ganev emphasized.
Focus on youth and the club foundation
Abbandanza takes over a team in which European and world champions in the youth categories will gradually be integrated. The project aims for a smooth transition and the building of a stable structure around this generation.
The Vice President of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation and owner of Demax printing house, Petar Kanev, who is the main sponsor of the women's championship, emphasized the importance of the internal system as a foundation for the national team:
“The generation that became European and world champions is exceptionally talented. For the first time in decades, our women's volleyball has a stable internal base – the Demax League with 10 teams and a newly established Second League with guaranteed funding. This allows more girls to develop and reach the national team.”
Conclusion
The appointment of Marcello Abbandanza marks a new strategic stage in the development of our women's volleyball.
The head coach will work with a Bulgarian staff and clearly defined goals, and the federation relies on a stable club foundation and rejuvenation following the model already established for the men's team under the leadership of Gianlorenzo Blengini.
The upcoming press conference and the presentation of the program at the end of November will officially mark the beginning of the three-year project, which has the potential to bring Bulgaria's women's national team back among the leading forces in Europe.
