Bernardinho resigned from his post as coach of the French volleyball team, only seven months after taking over from Laurent Tillie, the day after the coronation of the Blues at the Tokyo Olympics. .

In an interview with

L'Equipe

, the double Olympic champion with the Brazilian selection (2004 and 2016) even speaks of the "most difficult decision of [his] life".

"It's not easy to give up on such a beautiful, special project," he admitted.

There was the Paris Games in sight, with a great group of players.

A group of players who fully understood his coach's decision, torn between the desire to keep the Blues at the top and a complicated family life after his divorce.

“France will always be my second team”

“Since my divorce, the situation has been a bit difficult with my two daughters.

The smallest (12 years old) suffered from the separation.

I felt that the imminence of my departure, at the beginning of April, made her nervous.

I saw her cry several times, and one day she broke down, he confides.

Psychologically, she was bad.

We talked, but I realized I couldn't leave her alone.

She has her mother, but I couldn't get away.

We were supposed to play in Canada, Japan, Thailand.

I couldn't go halfway around the world leaving her here.

I would have felt selfish if I had favored this professional project.

»

If he admits a real sadness after this forced decision, Bernardinho does not regret anything.

“When I see my little girl more serene, I tell myself that I made the right decision.

In life you have to respect an order: health, family and work.

During my career, I have often reversed this order.

I was mistaken.

And I couldn't be wrong again.

“His short stint in Blue will remain no less significant and, on leaving, “I told them 'see you soon'”, adds the Brazilian.

"I will no longer be their coach but wherever I am, I will always be with them," he concludes.

France will always be my second team.

»

Sport

Volleyball: Italian Andrea Giani new coach of the Blue Olympic champions

Sport

Volleyball: Brazilian coach Bernardinho is already leaving the Blues, seven months after his arrival

  • French volleyball team

  • Volleyball

  • Tokyo 2021 Olympics

  • Sport