Al Ahli Strengthen Volleyball Technical Staff with International Expertise
Al Ahli Club Company has signed contracts with the technical staff of its first-team volleyball squad, led by head coach Umut Cakir, alongside Cihan Gentay and Nikola Grigulovic, and Serbian strength and conditioning coach Stefan Stamencovic.
The appointments reflect the club’s commitment to broadening its pool of technical and specialist expertise by drawing on international experience in coaching, physical preparation, performance analysis, and scouting. The aim is to enhance the team’s readiness and improve its overall performance in the coming period.
Head coach Umut Cakir brings extensive experience in Turkish volleyball. He previously coached Galatasaray, leading the team to second place in the Turkish League during the 2024–2025 season. He has also served as both head coach and assistant coach of the Turkish senior national team.
Cakir was part of the coaching staff that won the European League and the World Challenge Cup in 2023. He has also coached Galatasaray’s youth teams, securing several domestic titles.
Cihan Gentay brings more than two decades of coaching experience, having worked with several Turkish clubs, including Galatasaray and Besiktas, as well as Turkish national teams across various age groups.
He also serves on the Coaches Education Board of the Turkish Volleyball Federation and holds a Level 5 coaching certificate, reflecting his extensive technical knowledge and academic background.
Nikola Grigulovic adds expertise in performance analysis and scouting, developed through his work with Serbia’s youth national teams and several Serbian clubs, as well as Cypriot side Apollon Limassol.
He has also been involved in various European and Balkan competitions, combining his coaching background with expertise in evaluating team performance and analyzing opponents.
The staff is further strengthened by Serbian coach Stefan Stamencovic, who specializes in strength and conditioning and has international experience with national teams and clubs across Serbia, North Macedonia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, and Russia. His work has spanned volleyball, basketball, and handball.
At international level, Stamencovic worked with Serbia’s youth national teams before joining North Macedonia’s women’s national volleyball setup, including its senior, U19, and U17 teams.
Through these appointments, Al Ahli aims to establish an integrated technical structure that combines coaching expertise, specialized physical preparation, performance analysis, and scouting, strengthening the team’s preparations and supporting its ambitions for the upcoming period.