It was a rumor. This is now official information! Laurent Tillie is, since Monday, the new coach of the Japanese volleyball team. He officially signed a four-year contract with the Japanese Federation. His main objective will be to get on the podium at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. A new challenge for the coach who will celebrate his 61st birthday in a few days (December 1).
“The proposed challenge is really interesting and motivating,” the person concerned told the Team. The Japanese remained marked by the disappointment experienced at the Paris Games where they came close to qualifying for the semi-finals against Italy (17-15 tie-break defeat). »
“It will be a big challenge for everyone, and it will not be easy, but with the support of our talented and experienced players, staff and managers, a bright future awaits us. We look forward to the future. I believe we can do it. I believe in the power, strength and experience of the Japanese national team, in its values and qualities,” he continues on the federation’s website.
The former coach of the Blues, who supported the emergence of the Yavbou generation around Earvin Ngapeth, allowed France to win its first international titles with, in particular, the European title in 2015 and the coronation at the Tokyo Games in 2021. He also won the World League twice (2015 and 2017).
He succeeds on the bench of the Japanese selection a Frenchman, Philippe Blain, in post since 2017. He had already succeeded him at the head of the Blues in 2012… Laurent Tille has been based in Japan since 2020 since he coaches the Osaka club . “I am impatiently awaiting the start of this new adventure,” concluded the person concerned on the Japanese federation website.
