Lozano is the man who China have tasked with taking them to Tokyo 2020
Lausanne, Switzerland, April 26, 2017 – Raul Lozano has been given the job of improving China’s men’s volleyball fortunes after he was named as their new head coach on Tuesday, with his presentation due to take place on Wednesday.
Lozano replaces Xie Guochen, who stepped down after he failed to secure a place at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.
China is the fifth country that the Argentine has led after spells with Spain, Germany, Poland and Iran.
This season they will compete in FIVB Volleyball World League Group 2, where they will face Turkey, the Netherlands, Egypt, Australia, Finland, Slovakia and Japan.
“The Men’s team was very close to the Rio Olympics, so we believe a good coach will push the team an important step forward and lead it to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” Li Quanqiang, Vice president of the China Volleyball Association said.
“We think that we can learn a lot from an experienced foreign coach, both Chinese players and coaches.”
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Lozano led Poland to silver at the Japan 2006, FIVB Volleyball World Championship before he moved on to coach Germany from 2008 to 2011 and coached them to the 2009 CEV European League. He then guided Iran to their first Olympic Games at Rio 2016, where they reached the quarterfinals.
The 60-year-old will be assisted by fellow Argentine Juan Serramalera, while Shen Qiong, Teng Maomin, Shi Hairong, Jiang Jie will also form part of his coaching team.