Massimo Barbolini is an Italian volleyball coach with one of the longest elite résumés in the women’s game. He returned to Igor Gorgonzola Novara as head coach for the 2026–27 season on a two-year agreement, beginning a second spell with the club after previously leading Novara from 2017 to 2020. At the same time, Barbolini remains part of Julio Velasco’s Italy women’s national-team staff as second coach, giving him parallel responsibilities in a major Serie A1 club and the reigning Olympic program.
Barbolini has spent decades moving between head-coaching and senior staff roles without losing influence at the highest level. He led Italy’s women’s national team from 2006 to 2012, winning the 2007 and 2011 World Cups and two European Championships, and his club career includes major trophies with teams such as Perugia, Galatasaray, Casalmaggiore and Novara. His first Novara tenure produced the 2019 CEV Champions League title alongside Italian cup success. The later decision to work as Velasco’s senior assistant reflects another side of his career: experience valuable enough to function inside another head coach’s system rather than only in a lead role. His 2026 return to Novara restores him to day-to-day club leadership while preserving that national-team connection.
Coach Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Massimo Barbolini |
| Date of Birth | 29 August 1964 |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Current Role | Head Coach; Italy women’s second coach |
| Current Club | Igor Gorgonzola Novara |
| Current National Team | Italy Women’s National Team |
| Career Status | Active coach |
| Selected Club Achievement | CEV Champions League winner with Igor Gorgonzola Novara (2019) |