Pink Spiders appoint Marcello Abbondanza as new head coach

Volleyball

Published: 20 Feb. 2023, 16:11 Updated: 20 Feb. 2023, 17:43

Pink Spiders appoint Marcello Abbondanza as new head coach

Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders' head coach Marcello Abbondanza, center, poses for a photo with Kim Yeon-koung, left, and Jelena Mladjenovic at Jangchung Arena in Jung District, central Seoul on Sunday. [YONHAP]

The Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders have appointed Marcello Abbondanza as the club's new head coach after playing under interim head coach Kim Dae-kyung for a month and half, the club announced Sunday.

Italian coach Abbondanza, 52, signed a contract with the Pink Spiders on Saturday and will take the helm at the Incheon side once his work visa is approved. His contract runs through the end of the 2024-25 season.

Abbondanza is the second foreign head coach in the Pink Spiders’ history after Mamoru Bandaira of Japan, who coached the team from 2010 to 2011.

The appointment of the new head coach comes at the best time for the Pink Spiders, who went four points clear on top of the V League table after beating the GS Caltex Seoul KIXX 3-1 at Jangchung Arena in Jung District, central Seoul on Sunday.

Having coached multiple Italian and Turkish teams as well as national teams, the Pink Spiders appointment marks the first time Abbondanza will lead a V League team. He most recently coached Turk Hava Yollari SK in the Turkish league.

Abbondanza also led Fenerbahce Sports Club in the Turkish league from 2013 to 2017, during which he won the league twice and coached then Fenerbahce player Kim Yeon-koung.

The Pink Spiders said they expect the new head coach’s training system to elevate the team’s level.

“It is an honor to take charge of the Pink Spiders, and I’m happy that I can greet Korean volleyball fans,” Abbondanza was quoted as saying by local media. “I know the Pink Spiders’ strengths and am aware how much Korean fans love volleyball.

“I am happy that I’ve become a part of the club and I am excited to start a new adventure and journey.”

The Italian head coach is already in Korea and watched the Pink Spiders’ game against the KIXX on Sunday. He met the players after the match and was reunited with Kim Yeon-koung.

Abbondanza will coach the remaining seven league games this season for the Pink Spiders, who currently have 64 points despite unexpectedly dropping head coach Kwon Soon-chan on Jan. 2.

Interim head coach Kim Dae-kyung will return to his assistant coach position once Abbondanza makes his debut.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]