Rolando Maran is officially the new head coach of the Albanian National Team. During a press conference held on Tuesday morning at the “House of Football,” the President of the Football Federation, Armand Duka, introduced the new coach of our national team, Mr. Rolando Maran, who has signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with the Albanian Football Association.
His assistant on the Red and Black bench will be Christian Maraner, who has also signed his contract with the AFA.
President Duka also explained the details agreed upon with the new national team coach, emphasizing that the objectives are first place in the Nations League and qualification for the UEFA Euro 2028 finals.
The head of the FSHF gave special thanks to the former national team staff, led by Sylvinho, for all the achievements and successes with the Albanian national team.
“Welcome today on this important day for the national team and the FSHF, in which we will officially announce the name of the new national team coach, Mr. Rolando Maran. At the same time, we are closing a chapter with the former national team coach, Mr. Sylvinho, and his staff, whom I would like to thank on behalf of the FSHF, myself, and all the fans for the contribution made by Sylvinho, Doriva, and Zabaleta during this period with the Albanian National Team, and for the results achieved. Together we have gone through an important period full of emotions — we have laughed, cried, and celebrated together.
“It is part of both personal history and the history of all Albanian football. Sylvinho and his staff have left their mark, but in football it can be considered normal for one cycle to end and a new one to begin. With full understanding and mutual respect, together with Sylvinho, Doriva, and Pablo Zabaleta, we believed and agreed by consensus that this cycle should close in order to open a new one — with a coach who may not be young in age, but who has a great deal of experience, such as Mr. Rolando Maran.
Objectives – The national team has set its own standards and level where we want to be. The objectives remain first place in the Nations League, qualification for EURO 2028, and then continuing toward the objective we have never yet achieved: being part of the 2030 World Cup.
I do not want to speak too long. I want to thank Sylvinho, Doriva, and Pablo Zabaleta for their cooperation and contribution to the Albanian National Team.
I wish coach Rolando Maran success with the national team. I did not present Mr. Maran’s CV because he is already a well-known name in European football. He has 25 years of coaching experience, having managed important teams in Italy’s Serie A and Serie B. I am very convinced that we will do well in the Nations League and the qualifiers,” said President Armand Duka during the presentation of the new Albanian national team coach.
Furthermore, the new coach of our national team, Rolando Maran, said he was very happy about his new role and thanked President Armand Duka for his trust, while also complimenting former coach Sylvinho for all the work he had done with the Red and Blacks over the years.
“I want to thank the President for giving me this opportunity. I also want to thank Sylvinho for his words, and congratulations for what he has done during these years. I have followed the Albanian National Team closely, and for that you have all my compliments. I return to thanking the President because he is giving me the opportunity to coach a national team that represents a people with great pride. Being close to your country, it is something you can truly feel every time you speak with an Albanian supporter.
It is a great honor for me, and my promise is that we will transmit all your love for the jersey onto the field, by giving everything from myself and by asking the same from everyone who will work with me — my staff, the players, and everyone here at the FSHF with whom we will work together.
For me, this is a commitment I am undertaking. I become emotional because it is something I deeply feel inside; what I feel for this mission is very strong. What I want to say is this: we must show on the field what you represent, all the supporters and the nation,” said the new national team coach, Rolando Maran.
Below are the full questions and answers from the press conference with President Armand Duka and coach Rolando Maran:
President Duka
Did coach Sylvinho no longer have the desire to continue this work, or were there financial differences?
“As I have said publicly before, we began discussions with Sylvinho the day after the match against Ukraine, with exactly the question you mentioned — whether he still had the energy and desire to continue.
Sylvinho took his time, and through discussions together from that day until today, we reached this shared conclusion: that ending one cycle would be better for both sides and beginning a new cycle with fresh energy and new experience for the national team. We part ways in the best possible manner, with maximum human respect for one another, as well as respect for the work done and the results achieved.”
Why Maran, and did it take a long time to decide?
“I am fully convinced that we made the right choice. We selected the right profile for the national team at the right moment and time. Considering his coaching experience — as I mentioned, more than 25 years with teams and different football cultures in Italy’s Serie A and other divisions.
Taking into account this experience, this profile, and Rolando Maran’s sporting culture, I am very convinced that we made the correct decision. I have complete confidence that he will help the national team move forward, perform better, and achieve the results it deserves.”
President, are we returning to the Italian school of coaches because of preference or trust?
“It is not only trust; of course, the Italian football school is very strong. Italian coaches have been successful not only inside Italy but also abroad. Confidence in the Italian football school is at the highest levels.
The fact that we appointed Mr. Rolando Maran is also related to the reality that most of our footballers today — and those with future potential — are in Italy, making it closer from both a sporting and cultural perspective.
That is one of the reasons for choosing this profile and this country. As for level, people cannot always be compared. Perhaps only Edoardo Reja had more experience among the names you mentioned, and after him comes Maran. Success in football depends not only on experience, but also on the team, the environment, and dedication.
I am certain, seeing the coach’s desire and approach when he accepted this responsibility, that he will show maximum commitment. He will find a fantastic administrative environment, media environment, and Albanian fan support. All these factors will help support his work in achieving even more success.”
President, what grade would you give Sylvinho for all his work with the national team?
“Absolutely nothing has changed from what I have said about Sylvinho and his staff — regarding the dedication and seriousness with which they worked during this period leading the national team. No one is perfect, and Sylvinho is not perfect either.
My evaluation remains highly positive, close to the maximum, for everything he did and for the results achieved. Under Sylvinho’s leadership, Albania finished first once and second once in qualification groups, even though in the play-offs we could not go further.”
Did you have other alternatives before deciding on Maran? What are the specific conditions and objectives set for him?
“Without a doubt, this was not an emotional choice or a spontaneous one. It was a thoughtful decision made in consultation with the technical staff of the Albanian Football Federation, taking into account the state of the team and what the team needs today.
We spoke with several candidates. Naturally, there were alternatives, but I do not think it is ethical to make them public now.
Coach Maran is also aware that we had several alternatives and that we made this decision believing it to be the best one. The contract is not complicated — it is simple. In fact, we only signed it 30 minutes ago. The coach said he signed it without even reading it; hopefully we will not have problems because of that.
With the objectives I mentioned — finishing first in the Nations League and qualifying for EURO 2028 — the contract runs until that time.”
Did financial considerations influence the choice of the new coach?
“The primary criterion is how we can best serve the national team. But of course, economic balance must also be maintained alongside sporting considerations and conditions.
I am convinced that even if we had more money, we would not have made a better choice.”
Coach Rolando Maran
What will your philosophy be with the Albanian National Team?
“I like to have an aggressive team. We must show that we are strong on the pitch.
This is my DNA, and I want to transmit that. I have asked many questions because, considering that I will coach this national team, it is not the same as coaching a club. There is a strong sense of belonging.”
This will be your first time coaching a national team. What is the difference compared to coaching a club?
“I have asked many questions since this is my first experience. The reason I said yes to Albania is precisely because coaching this national team is not like coaching a club. The feeling of belonging is very strong. For me, that is the difference.”
How well do you know our national team, and have Edoardo Reja or Gianni De Biasi spoken to you about the team?
“I know the team well. I know many of the players because I have watched many Albania matches — I have even rewatched some of them. I have spoken with De Biasi. Besides being a good friend, he is a coach I highly respect for what he achieved. I know what he accomplished here. He gave me some indications that I value.”
Do you think Albania has a strong enough foundation to achieve the objectives President Duka mentioned earlier?
“If I did not believe that, I would not be here. There are possibilities to achieve these objectives. It will not be easy, but we can succeed. We also have the opportunity to do more against teams that may appear stronger on paper and achieve the objective of being competitive.”
Do you plan to test players from the U-21 national team and the Albanian league?
“Of course, everything is being considered, including players from the U-21 national team. In Italy things are different — the current coach will play two friendlies and then leave. Some decisions are made because of a different path.
We are beginning a new journey toward achieving our objectives. We must pay attention to every young player, including those from the U-21 team.”
What will your football philosophy be? When people think of an Italian coach, they usually think of defensive football.
“That legacy associated with Italian coaches still exists, but as I said earlier, we need total consistency in dominating matches and being stronger than our opponents, and that is not only about defending. It is important to defend well.
I think there must be balance. Of course, we also have to evaluate the group of players available to us. What I want to bring is a team that plays football, but naturally there will be moments when we need to defend, and we must do that together as a team. That is the key to achieving results.
One cannot exist without the other. To achieve good results, these things must develop step by step.”
The World Cup remains the dream.
“That is my dream, just as it is yours. Right now, my dream is your dream: to achieve the results that everyone wants. If I am here, it means I believe that with dedication, a united group, and a little luck, this can be achieved.”
You come from Italian football, where many of our current and future players compete. How well do you know the players?
“I know all the players who play in Italy, and against some of them I have even coached as an opponent. They are players I know well.
I repeat, Albania is a national team I know very well from following and studying its matches, just as we are doing now. Of course, my understanding will deepen through training sessions and through building relationships with them.”
Will you live in Albania like Sylvinho, or have you not decided yet?
“Of course I will move here. It was the first thing I discussed with the President. If I want to coach this team properly, if I want to be an integral part of it, I need and want to live here.
This will certainly allow me to do my job better and to be closer to my reality, which is your reality.”
What is the strongest point of our team?
“I cannot make that kind of judgment before training the players. I think it is a team with players who have very good characteristics, but players must fit the playing system.
A team is built not only with quality players, but also with players who sacrifice for the group. I do not want to make an early judgment or make mistakes. There are certain characteristics within the team that we can work on, and that motivates me. I want to see them and train them. I am convinced this mosaic can come together very well.”
First place in the Nations League or preparation for the EURO 2028 qualifiers?
“I believe that winning helps you continue winning. That is the path to arriving prepared — to do well first, and then continue doing well afterward.”
