Michal Winiarski ends tenure at helm of Team Germany

Michal Winiarski is stepping down as coach of the men’s national team of Germany with immediate effect for personal reasons. The German Volleyball Federation (DVV) will hold talks with several candidates in the coming weeks to find a successor.

The 42-year-old Pole had been coaching the German men’s team since the beginning of 2022 and extended his contract until 2028 last year. He has informed the association and the team of his decision in personal conversations. The decisive factors for his resignation are his desire to have more time for his family and the heavy double burden of his duties at his club (Aluron CMC Warta ZAWIERCIE) and with the national team.

“The last few years with the German national team have been among the most significant and fulfilling of my career – full of passion, development and unforgettable moments with extraordinary people,” explains Winiarski, for whom it was ‘a great honour’ to coach the German men’s national team. “But I recently realised that my family needs more of my time and presence. The work in the PlusLiga is very intense, and between the league and the national team, there was hardly any time to catch my breath. On top of that, I had some minor health issues. All of this showed me that it is now time to take a break, recharge my batteries and look ahead with a fresh perspective.”

Head of National Teams Christian Dünnes speaks of ‘a great loss’ for the German Volleyball Federation: “Michal has done a great job over the past few years. He has helped the team enormously, both athletically and personally, and taken them to a new level. It is bitter to lose him, but I respect his decision. We wish him and his family all the best.”

The German Volleyball Federation thanks Michal Winiarski for his outstanding work, his passion and his commitment to German Volleyball. In October 2023, the 42-year-old sensationally qualified for the Olympic Games with the DVV men’s team in Rio de Janeiro – achieving such a feat for the first time since London 2012. In Paris, the team narrowly lost in the quarter-finals to the eventual Olympic champions France. 

In the coming weeks, the Federation will hold talks with several candidates. The aim is to find the best possible successor for the German men’s national team from a pool of five to six potential applicants.

Picture courtesy of Anton Höfel