Gido Vermeulen to revitalise Swedish men’s national team programme
News
Dutchman Gido Vermeulen, who has a long and impressive track record that stretches all the way back to the early 1990s when he began his career as a head coach, has taken over the reins of the Swedish men’s national team. The 59-year-old has worked with a variety of elite men’s and women’s clubs and national teams. He previously coached the Egyptian men’s national team, Spain’s women as well as both the men’s and women’s national teams of his native country, the Netherlands.
Gido Vermeulen“I am happy about the trust and the opportunity to lead the Swedish men’s national team into a new era. This is a multi-year project that gives me the chance to build and shape it from the ground up, which is exactly what I like. I look forward to getting started and to begin the journey together with players and leaders into an exciting future."
The appointment of Vermeulen marks a new start for the men’s national team, which last played competitive matches in May 2021. The goal is a long-term and sustainable investment that will provide sporting development and deliver a competitive men’s national team on the European stage. The contract with Vermeulen lasts until 2028.
“The high ambitions and the strong development in Swedish Volleyball appeal to me. We share the same dreams. They have taken great strides through the success of Åhman/Hellvig and the women’s national team and want to make such a journey with the men’s national team as well. That journey basically starts from scratch, but that is exactly what attracts me. I like to build players, teams, and organisations - and Sweden gives me both the time and the opportunity to do that,” Vermeulen continues.
The recruitment is made possible by the fact that the Swedish Volleyball Federation applied for and was awarded targeted funding from the FIVB Empowerment Programme. “It feels fantastic that we are linking Gido to Swedish Volleyball. With all the skills and experience that he possesses, he will be a strong addition and a key person in the new start of the men’s national team. He has several times previously been involved in and successfully built national teams from scratch, which makes him perfect for the role. We are happy and proud that he is taking over the reins of our team and are grateful for the support from the FIVB,” says Angelica Ljungqvist, Sports Director at the Swedish Volleyball Federation.
“We know where we want to be and will work based on a five-year plan to get there. Step by step, the programme and the level will improve and along the way we will develop as individuals and as a team to eventually compete in the European Championships,” Vermeulen adds. “In the player ranks there is an exciting mix of skilled players with a lot of experience, mixed with young talents who can take big steps in their development. Many of the current national team players play at a high level abroad, while at home in the Elitserien and on the youth side there are emerging interesting names with high ambitions and great potential.”
Angelica Ljungqvist“Gido has an enormous professional appearance and attitude. Already at the first meeting, he had a firm grasp on our Swedish professionals abroad. His ambitions with the men’s national team are high and we are convinced that his leadership skills are just right for the development journey to be made, both for the players individually and the team as a whole."
Sports Director at the Swedish Volleyball Federation
In August 2024, the Swedish audience will have the chance to follow the men’s national team at home when they step into the first series of matches scheduled for the CEV EuroVolley 2026 qualifiers.