Gonzalo Quesada will be the new coach of Italrugby
Gonzalo Quesada will be the new coach of Italrugby
The FIR has chosen who will be Kieran Crowley’s replacement on the bench of rugby Italy after the upcoming World Cup in FRancia to be held between September and October: it is 49-year-old Argentine Gonzalo Quesada, who will start his job from January 1, 2024. We report what is written in the Federugby statement.
“Originally from Buenos Aires (where he was born on May 2, 1974, ed.), raised in the Hindu Club and graduated in Economics from the University of Belgrano, Quesada boasts a brilliant career as an opening halfback and, in his 38 appearances with the Argentina jersey, has scored 486 points, the fourth most prolific Puma of all time.”
“His playing career, as well as his coaching career, however, is closely linked with France, where Quesada arrived in 2000 wearing the jerseys of Narbonne, Bezier, Stade Francais, Pau and Toulon: Retired in 2007, he immediately embarked on a promising path as a coach, dressing as the assistant coach of the transalpine national team led by Marc Lièvremont from 2008 to 2011, winning the Grand Slam in 2010 and reaching the Auckland Final lost narrowly 8-7 to the host All Blacks.”
“Having concluded his experience with the Bleus, he began his head coaching career by guiding Parisian Racing 92 to as many play-off qualifiers in the French top league for two seasons before choosing the other side of the Seine and guiding Stade Francais cousins, then captained by Sergio Parisse, for four years, enriching the trophy cabinet with the 2015 French Championship title and the 2017 Challenge Cup.”
“After a one-year spell at Biarritz in 2017, he became head coach of the Jaguares, Argentina’s Super Rugby franchise, in 2018, immediately reaching the Final of the Southern Hemisphere’s iconic tournament, surrendering only to the New Zealand Crusaders.”
“In 2020 he returned to France, for a second adventure with Stade Francais. The one with Italy will be his first assignment as Technical Commissioner of a Tier 1 international team.”
“‘The arrival of Gonzalo Quesada on the Italy bench is wonderful news for all of our rugby. We bring to our country and to our movement one of the most prominent young coaches on the international scene, who shares with us projects and ambitions, the vision of a national team that will be able in the years to come, along the road that leads us up to the Australian Rugby World Cup in 2027, to pose a real danger to all opponents. We were impressed, of Gonzalo, not only with a winning coaching resume for such a young figure, but particularly with his burning desire to make Italy a benchmark in the Test-match landscape. In order to realize this desire and vision, he has turned down offers of great value, not just sporting value, in a French league where he is held in the highest esteem, which makes his decision even more valuable. Together we want to steer the Men’s National Team towards the future it deserves and which, thanks to the work of those who have preceded Gonzalo in this two-year period, has already begun to become a reality. We expect him soon in Italy, together with his family to take the first steps of this new path that will start after the Rugby World Cup in September’ said FIR President Marzio Innocenti welcoming Gonzalo Quesada.”
“‘I am honored and proud to become the Technical Commissioner of the Italian National Team in the years to come. I thank the Federation, the President and the Council for this opportunity and for this great challenge. In recent seasons Italy has improved a lot, respecting its usual strengths while developing a compelling game. There is a talented group of athletes who will develop increasing international experience in the coming years. Our exciting mission will be to guide them through this journey, working hard, respecting and developing Italian culture and values, to bring this team to its full potential,’ commented Gonzalo Quesada.”
