30-JULY-2013
HUGO SILVA IS THE NEW
NATIONAL TEAM HEAD COACH
 

Hugo Silva was appointed for the men’s National Team Head Coach position. [Resume]

The former National Team Assistant Coach and former SC Espinho Head Coach accepted the Portuguese Volleyball Federation invitation, considering that now is the best moment to embrace the new challenge.

“This invitation has been extending for two years, during which I’ve always considered that was not the best moment to accept it. This year, however, I felt that other conditions are fulfilled for me to help the National Team, which I represent proudly. I’m aware that the criterion of choice of FPV President is of elevated demand, thus I take great pride of being chosen as obvious. At the same time, it’s a great responsibility, as becoming head coach of a national team is the highest level of any coach’s career, so this was a weighted decision. Only the fact that I’m the first Portuguese National Team Head Coach in 13 years, since António Rodrigues, gives me additional responsibility to leave a good image of the Portuguese coach, which in my opinion, have great quality”.

The new National Team Head Coach primary goal is stay among the elite, as the FIVB World League Playoffs are to be played in August.

“This is not the best moment for that, but it’s a huge challenge. I think we have failed the easy part on the FIVB World League 2013 Intercontinental Round and the task now presents itself more difficult, because it will be a 1 or 2 game decision at most. It’s tough, the time for preparing is not the ideal, once the players are on vacations after an exhausting season, but I believe that we have what it takes to play the FIVB World League next year”.

The coaching staff will be completed by António Guerra as National Team Assistant Coach.

List of National Team Head Coaches since 2000:
1998 / 2001 – António Rodrigues (Portugal)
2001 / 2004 – Juan Diaz (Cuba)
2005 – Orlando Samuels (Cuba)
2006 – Francisco dos Santos (Brazil)
2007 / 2009 – Jorge Schmidt (Brazil)
2010 / 2011 – Juan Diaz (Cuba)
2012 / 2013 – Flavio Gulinelli (Italy)

More info: www.fpvoleibol.pt