The appointment of Talant Dujshebaev as the new head coach of the French men’s national team continues to generate discussion in French handball circles. In a statement released this week, 7Master, the association representing professional coaches in France, did not challenge Dujshebaev’s credentials, but openly questioned the process that led to his nomination by the Fédération française de handball (FFHB), this according to handnews.fr.
7Master made it clear that it recognizes Dujshebaev’s stature in international handball. The current coach of Polish powerhouse KS Kielce is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most experienced figures, both as a former player and as a club coach at the highest European level.
The association even stated that it wishes “full success to the head coach and the staff soon to be appointed.” However, behind that formal support lies a more structural concern. According to 7Master, the decision “raises fundamental questions about the transparency and coherence of the recruitment process.”
The group claims that the appointment appears to have been made without a formal call for applications and without broader consultation within the professional handball ecosystem.
Lack of evaluation and shared reflection
Another key point raised in the statement is the absence of a publicly presented review of the French national team’s recent performances in major tournaments.
7Master notes that no in-depth assessment was shared after the last major competitions and that representatives of professional handball were not involved in such an evaluation. In the association’s view, launching a new cycle with a new head coach should be based on a collective and clearly structured analysis of the team’s needs.
The reported consultation of international players in the selection process is also questioned. If confirmed, 7Master believes that such a method is “not appropriate” for appointing a head coach to what it describes as a senior executive sporting position within the federation.
More broadly, the association regrets what it calls a lack of dialogue and transparency, emphasizing that the success of a national team depends not only on results, but also on trust and alignment across the wider handball ecosystem.
7Master also describes the choice of a coach coming directly from the professional club environment as a break with the traditional pathway in French handball. At the same time, it acknowledges that coaches competing in European club competitions possess high-level expertise and are legitimate candidates to lead national teams.
In that context, the association points out that since 2017, French coaches with significant experience in European club competitions have not been invited to apply for the position of head coach of the men’s national team, despite coming through the established state, university and federal training systems.
A broader governance debate
Beyond the individual case of Dujshebaev, 7Master believes the appointment should serve as a catalyst for a wider discussion about the governance of the FFHB.
The statement calls for a comprehensive review of several areas: coach education (both initial and continuing), the role of instructor training bodies and the IFFE, recruitment pathways, and the development structure that produces professional and international players.
The association ultimately raises two key questions: how to reconcile innovation, excellence and performance with the values that have historically underpinned French handball’s success, and how to ensure that strategic decisions are built on rigorous evaluation, open debate and a clear long-term vision.
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