Author: Dhruv Patil
Brazilian volleyball legend Bernardinho is making a triumphant return to the men’s national volleyball team, but this time in a different role. The two-time Olympic champion will be the coordinator of the national team, working together with Renan Dal Zotto, the coach of the senior team.
:strip_icc()/s.glbimg.com/es/ge/f/original/2016/05/21/volei_bernardinho.jpg)
In his new role as national team coordinator, Bernardinho will assume responsibility for planning and overseeing all aspects of the men’s volleyball program, from grassroots development to the professional level. His main objective will be to prepare the team for the next Olympic Games, including the 2024 Games in Paris, 2028 in Los Angeles and 2032 in Brisbane.
This partnership brings together two prominent figures in Brazilian volleyball, as Bernardinho joins forces with José Roberto Guimarães, the renowned coach of the women’s national volleyball team. While Zé Roberto will continue in his dual role, Bernardinho’s focus will be solely on the men’s team, ensuring that they are prepared for success on the international stage.
Bernardinho’s association with Brazilian volleyball is nothing short of legendary. As a former player, he won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. However, his real legacy lies in his coaching career. Over 22 years as a coach, he has achieved remarkable success, including two gold medals (Athens 2004 and Rio de Janeiro 2016), two silver medals (Beijing 2008 and London 2012) with the men’s team and two bronze medals (Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000) with the women’s team.
Most notably, Bernardinho served as coach of the men’s national team for 16 years, from 2000 to 2016, during which time he solidified Brazil’s status as a volleyball powerhouse.
With Bernardinho’s vast experience and his commitment to the development of the men’s volleyball program, there is great expectation and optimism for the future of Brazilian men’s volleyball. His return to the national team as coordinator promises to be a turning point for the sport in Brazil.