The head coach of the French national handball team, Talant Dujshebaev, who has been serving as the head coach of the Polish club Kielce since 2014, has resigned from his position. The club announced this on Friday on its official website.
On Friday, through a statement posted on its official website, the Polish club Kielce announced the immediate resignation of its iconic Spanish coach Talant Dujshebaev, stating that “the coach justified his decision by the need to give a new impetus to the team to make it competitive in the most crucial phase of the season.”
The end of an era
In charge since 2014, the 57-year-old tactician – who also holds the position of head coach of the French men’s national team since the end of February, following Guillaume Gille’s departure – presented his resignation following the club’s poor performance, being defeated in the Polish Cup semi-final against their main rival Wisla Plock (30-25), as well as in the Champions League round of 16 against Szeged (defeated 26-23 in the first leg, and drew 32-32 in the second leg). An early elimination for a club used to being in the Final Four and who had won the 2016 edition under the guidance of the Spanish coach.
In its statement, the club nevertheless emphasizes that “the history of the team’s collaboration with coach Talant Dujshebaev is marked by emotional sports moments, great victories, and unforgettable moments in the memories of fans and in the club’s history. His contribution to the team’s development and his influence on the European handball scene remains invaluable,” while adding that “after long and deep discussions between the two parties, the club and the coach have decided to end their collaboration. This decision was made with full knowledge of the coach’s motivations and with mutual responsibility for the team’s development.”
Talant Dujshebaev’s resignation, which coincided with the end of his contract with Kielce, does not change his status as the head coach of the French men’s national handball team. National technical director Pascal Bourgeais confirmed this in statements reported by L’Équipe, stating that “the duration of the contract is tied to his sporting success. If we qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the contract will be extended for the 2029 World Championship in France.” A contract with the French Handball Federation that will not prevent Talant Dujshebaev from leading a club in the future.
