The Argentine Volleyball Federation officially announced the new head coach of the men's national team – Horacio Dileo. The decision comes during a period of inevitable changes following the departure of Marcelo Méndez, who stepped down after losing the round of sixteen match against Italy at this year's World Championship in Manila.
A continuation of what has begun – not a restart, but an upgrade.
At FeVA, the focus is on continuity. President Juan Sardo and the head of the men's national team, Pablo Luege, held a meeting with Dileo, where the agreement for the start of the new cycle from 2026 was signed. This year, Argentina will compete in the South American Championship for an Olympic quota, as well as in the Volleyball Nations League, both defined as leading goals on the calendar.
A familiar face with a strong international profile.
62-year-old Horacio Dileo is no stranger to the national team. He was Marcelo Méndez's assistant during his first tenure leading the team, and in 2025 he returned to the staff for Argentina's participation in the World Championship and VNL.
In parallel with his national team role, Dileo is the current head coach of Vôlei Renata in the Brazilian Superliga – one of the leading clubs in the league. He took over the team in 2023, and last season he led them to second place – a success that earned him widespread recognition among the South American volleyball community.
A new chapter for the "Gauchos."
The appointment of Horacio Dileo marks a natural step forward for Argentina – a coach with experience, knowledge of the team's internal structure, and a clear perspective for building upon Méndez's achievements, including the Olympic bronze from Tokyo and a stable presence among the world elite.
The Argentine Federation concluded the official announcement with a warm message:
"Welcome, Horacio! We are glad you are with us."
The attacking style, characteristic Latin emotion, and the pursuit of sustainable results remain at the heart of the new project, which will define Argentina's path towards the next major challenges.
photos: Nikolay Varadinov
