Felix Koslowski is no longer the national coach for women

NAfter six years as national coach, Felix Koslowski is leaving the German volleyball team – and the future of men’s coach Andrea Giani is also open. As the German Volleyball Association (DVV) announced on Saturday, Koslowski and the association agreed on a realignment after losing out in the European Championship round of 16 in September and the subsequent work-up. Koslowski had been Kotrainer under Giovanni Guidetti since 2006, from 2015 he was national trainer and coach at the Bundesliga club SSC Schwerin.

“Due to the double function in the national team and in the club, the burden has been very high over the years, especially for my family, for whom I would like to have more time in the coming summer,” said Koslowski. With a view to qualifying for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the team should “benefit from a new impulse”.

The 37-year-old made it to the EM quarter-finals as national coach in 2017 and 2019. The premature final round this year with a promising team led by Louisa Lippmann was a setback.

“The German Volleyball Association cannot thank Felix enough for the very good and self-sacrificing work over the past 15 years,” said DVV sports director Christian Dünnes. The association intends to decide on Koslowski’s successor in the coming weeks. Men’s national coach Andrea Giani could also leave the DVV. His contract ends and a decision should be made this year.