This summer, Marcos De Oliveira, known as Marquinho, joined, as assistant, head coach Rafael Redwitz in the Centurions Narbonne staff.
1 + 1 = 2. Rafael Redwitz concedes: “It’s trite to say that, but together we are always stronger.” The Franco-Brazilian coach of the Centurions Narbonne, 44, knows something about this, he who last season could only count on himself on the bench. The club's general manager Michel Mandrou often recalls this: “For a coach, it is fundamental to be able to confront an assistant, someone who sometimes reassures you and sometimes prevents you from getting into a dead end.”
Hence last offseason, the desire of the Centurions Narbonne to strengthen their staff. Which was done. In addition to the arrival of Brazilian physical trainer Felipe Costa, the Audois recorded the reinforcement of Marcos de Oliveira. At the request of Rafael Redwitz. Marcos de Oliveira, born in Brazil, former libero, now aged 51, former assistant to Hubert Henno at Nantes-Rezé from 2022 to 2024, before the club's bankruptcy.
We played together a long time ago in Brazil
When the misfortune of some… The liquidation of Nantes-Rezé will allow the Narbonnais to recover Marcos de Oliveira whom everyone nicknames Marquinho. Redwitz and Marquinho know each other very well. “We played together in Brazil,” recalls Redwitz. “I was very young”, underlines the head coach. “And me, not so young”, sourit Marquinho.
In France, the two men will meet again. In 2007-2008 when the passer Redwitz played in Paris with whom he won the title of French champion, Marcos de Oliveira played in Montpellier. The following season, the second went to Paris – with whom he would also be champion! – and the first joins Italy and Volley Forli. “When he arrived in the capital, Marcos slept in my apartment,” notes Rafael Redwitz. The complicity between the two technicians is easy to guess.
The bridge between the needs of the players and the desires of the coach
“Mainly, Marcos brings a lot to me on a human level. To me, to the club, to the players, to the volunteers, to the supporters. Professionally speaking too, his contribution is decisive. He is passionate like me. He works a lot. He analyzes very good situations”, rejoices Rafael Redwitz. “We discuss a lot on a daily basis about technical and mental aspects, we share the same energy, he adds his temperament, his nature to the collective strength of the Centurions Narbonne. For me, it is a comfort to be able to count on Felipe Costa and Marquinho. Their skills allow me to share responsibilities and delegate more things.”
Marcos de Oliveira agrees: “One of my specificities is being close to the players. I like this role of assistant, it allows me to be myself. I bridge the gap between the needs of the players and the desires of the coach. And working with Rafa is a pleasure and an honor. Redwitz points out: “I was a passer, he was a libero, there are two leadership positions on the floor, two players who analyze, two ways of seeing the match, so it is not a surprise to find us both coaches. In any case , I really thank Marqui for accepting this challenge in Narbonne. I hope that we will be able to work together for a long time.”
In Narbonne if possible. This will mean that the Redwitz-Marquinho relationship will have fueled the success of the Centurions.
Tours, “always special”
This Saturday evening (8 p.m.), the Centurions Narbonne travel to Tours. “Tours is a very big European club. Everyone knows them,” lancent de concert Rafael Redwitz et Marcos de Oliveira. “They are having difficulties, of course, with only one victory in six games. And we want to continue our good momentum (six points collected in the last three matches, Editor’s note). What must be said is that for all the players, it is always special to play in Tours.”
Tours will evolve without its pointy injured knee, Sclater. And with in its ranks, three former Narbonnais, Julien Faganas (sharp), Alexandre Gabin (passer) and Luca Ramon (libero) who since their arrival in Touraine in the 2023 off-season have experienced various fortunes…
