In the international arena of women's volleyball, the change of head coaches is akin to a silent dance of transformation. With the appointment of Sullivan as the new head coach of the American women's volleyball team, many strong teams have completed their coaching changes after the Paris Olympics, a phenomenon that has spread like ripples throughout the international volleyball community. However, the Chinese women's volleyball team remains calm waters, having achieved only fifth place in the Olympics and showing no signs of movement in selecting a new coach, causing countless fans to be anxious, like ants on a hot pot.
Why has there been no movement in the selection of a new coach for the Chinese women's volleyball team? A report by Kong Ning, a journalist from the Beijing Evening News, has revealed a glimpse of the situation. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; rivers and seas are formed by the accumulation of small streams." The achievements of the Chinese women's volleyball team were built step by step, but now they face a harsh reality: under the guidance of Cai Bin, the age advantage of the Chinese team has been exhausted. Looking at the current lineup of the Chinese women's volleyball team, "The Seven Fairies" include Zhu Ting and Diao Linyu at 30 years old, Zhang Changning and Wang Mengjie at 29, and Gong Xiangyu and Wang Yuanyuan at 27.
From an age perspective, these six players are gradually approaching the twilight of their athletic careers in the long river of time, making it difficult for them to continue until the 2028 Olympics. This situation of a lack of continuity undoubtedly poses a significant challenge to the selection of a new coach, also making it difficult for Cai Bin to take up the position again. Meanwhile, Lang Ping and Chen Zhonghe, who are highly anticipated by fans, have clearly stated that they will not return. In this context, it seems that there is a void in the selection of domestic excellent coaches, leading fans to turn their attention to foreign coaches.
Among the candidates for foreign coaches, Karch Kiraly and Giovanni Guidetti were once the focus of attention. Kiraly, with his rich experience and outstanding achievements in coaching the American women's volleyball team, has seen his connection with the Chinese team come to an abrupt end. He has signed with the American Volleyball Association, taking on the role of head coach for the American men's volleyball team, with a contract lasting until 2028. Guidetti faces similar difficulties, with his contract with VakıfBank set to expire in 2025. The scheduling conflicts between the Chinese women's volleyball team and club events make it challenging for Guidetti to balance both roles. After weighing the pros and cons, the possibility of Guidetti coming to coach in China is minimal.
When many candidates have failed to materialize, Hernández emerges like a new star in people's vision. As a renowned coach in the Spanish volleyball world, he possesses many bright spots that align well with the needs of the Chinese women's volleyball team. Hernández is exceptional in cultivating young players. During his tenure at Galatasaray, he was like a skilled gardener, nurturing many outstanding young talents. This is precisely what the Chinese women's volleyball team urgently needs at present. The team is at a critical juncture of generational transition, like a giant ship changing course, in dire need of fresh blood. Hernández's abilities can provide a good start for the future talent cultivation of the women's volleyball team.
Furthermore, Hernández's ability to adapt to the game situation is remarkable. Having coached top clubs for a long time, he is like a seasoned general on the court, able to quickly and accurately perceive changes in the game situation and make the most appropriate adjustments. This is particularly important given the current state of the Chinese women's volleyball team. In past competitions, the team sometimes lacked adaptability during games, which often affected the outcome at crucial moments. Hernández's demonstrated capabilities in this area are on par with those of the legendary Chinese coach Lang Ping.
Indeed, inviting Hernández to coach the Chinese women's volleyball team is no easy task. After all, his coaching abilities are widely recognized, making him a "hot commodity" in the international volleyball market. This means that if the Chinese Volleyball Association wants to hire him, they must offer an extremely attractive contract. This is not only recognition of Hernández's personal value but also a demonstration of the association's boldness.
The Chinese Volleyball Association needs to weigh the pros and cons carefully and consider all aspects. On one hand, Hernández does have many advantages that can help the Chinese women's volleyball team regain its glory; on the other hand, the amount of the contract and potential subsequent issues require cautious handling. This is an important decision concerning the future direction of the Chinese women's volleyball team, related to whether it can re-exhibit strong competitiveness in future international competitions. The Chinese Volleyball Association faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities.
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