The Season of Surprising Coaching Changes
Something strange is happening in volleyball this year. Coaches are getting fired left and right—even when their teams are winning.
Take Marco Fenoglio as the last coach change, for example. He just led Fenerbahçe to a Turkish Cup title. Then, after one playoff loss to Galatasaray, he was gone. Just like that.
He’s not alone. Igor Kolaković was let go from Halkbank (qualified for CEV Champions League Final Four), two top Polish teams changed coaches right before playoffs, and there’ve been shakeups in Italy, Greece, and beyond. All this, even when results were solid.
The Danger of Normalizing “Planned Firings”
Perhaps the most worrying trend is how normal these coaching changes have become. Rumors start days before the official news drops. Everyone seems to know who’s coming and going—even before a season is over.
It creates a toxic environment where coaches lead teams knowing they’re already on the way out. It hurts morale, disrupts team chemistry, and undermines the coach’s authority.
The Business of Sport: When Trust Takes a Back Seat
Hiring a head coach should be like hiring an executive (CEO) in a business company. Clubs should conduct thorough evaluations of personality, leadership style, philosophy, experience and more. If someone clears all those checks, it’s only fair to give them time to implement their vision.
And yet, in today’s volleyball world, even the most respected names aren’t safe. Coaches are brought in as short-term fixes instead of long-term leaders. The moment things get shaky—or even just uncertain—they’re replaced.
This kind of impulsive decision-making sends a troubling message to the entire sporting community: coaches are disposable.
Coaches Need Authority—Like Generals or CEOs
Just like in the business or military, sports teams need clear hierarchies. A head coach isn’t just a tactician—they’re a leader of people, a culture builder, and a central figure in a club’s identity.
When that role is constantly under threat, no long-term vision can succeed. Even the richest, most talent-packed clubs can’t compensate for weak leadership structures. As we’ve seen, talent alone doesn’t guarantee titles.
It’s Time for Clubs to Rethink Their Strategy
Volleyball teams—and their owners, stakeholders—must start seeing coaches as partners, not placeholders. Giving a coach real input in team building and strategic planning will ultimately lead to more sustainable success.
Let’s stop treating coaches as short-term solutions and start valuing them for what they are: the architects of excellence.
A Few Clubs Still Believe in Stability
Thankfully, not everyone is jumping on the firing bandwagon. VakifBank is sticking with Giovanni Guidetti, and Conegliano continues to thrive under Daniele Santarelli. Arkas Izmir also shows how consistency, even with a smaller budget, can lead to strong results under Glenn Hoag.
What This Means for Volleyball
This trend isn’t just about job security—it’s about respect, trust, and long-term planning. Coaches aren’t just strategists; they’re team leaders, culture builders, and should be key voices in the club.
Let’s hope clubs start rethinking how they treat the people leading their teams. After all, trusting the process—not just the results—is often the real path to success.
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