Toloukian named London Giants coach in English top-flight volleyball
Iranian volleyball coach Alireza Toloukian has been appointed to the managerial role at English National Super League champion London Giants.
Toloukian is currently with Iran’s women’s national team at the AVC Asian Championship, and will join up with his new club once his continental campaign concludes in Tianjin, China.
One of Iran’s most experienced volleyball coaches, Tolukian has worked with both Iran’s national and club teams. He has served as a coach and head coach at several Iranian Premier Volleyball League clubs and has also been part of the coaching staff of Iran’s senior national team.
Tolukian’s agreement with London Giants was finalized before Iran’s national team traveled to China, with the move being officially announced after the Iranian women made a successful start to their Asian Championship campaign. The appointment has drawn further attention to the prospect of an Iranian coach taking charge of the reigning English volleyball champions.
Iran got off to a flying start to its campaign by coming from behind to beat Chinese Taipei 3-1 in its Pool A opener on Friday.
London Giants men’s team rounded out a remarkable 2025/2026 season by winning the National Cup Final in April, adding the trophy to an already historic year for the club.
London Giants secured first place in the English National Super League regular season for the first time, before carrying that momentum into the Final Four, where they continued their strong campaign at the highest level of domestic competition.
The domestic triple marked an important step forward not only for the club, but also as a reflection of the rising standards and competitiveness of the sport across the country.