Italian water polo legend Alessandro Campagna will continue leading the Italian men’s national team for another four years.

The 61-year-old coach, who has been at the helm since 2008, will extend his tenure until the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Speaking on the contract extension, Campagna expressed his excitement about the future: “A new four-year period begins, which leads to Los Angeles in 2028. I expect a lot from the young people who will play in the Italian league. I am very confident about the future and look with the same optimism to the World Championship in Singapore planned for next summer.”

Campagna has had a highly successful run as Italy’s head coach, guiding the team to some of its greatest achievements over the past 16 years. Under his leadership, the Italian team won the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, gold at the 2011 and 2019 World Championships, and silver at the 2010 European Championships.

Beyond his accomplishments as a coach, Campagna also enjoyed a remarkable playing career. He was part of the Italian team that won the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, followed by a European Championship title in 1993 and a World Championship title in 1994.

Campagna is one of the few individuals in the water polo world to have achieved the rare distinction of winning Olympic medals both as a player and a coach. In recognition of his contributions to the sport, he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale in 2019.

As he looks ahead to the next four years, Campagna’s focus remains on nurturing the next generation of Italian talent while preparing for major international competitions like the 2024 World Championships in Singapore and the ultimate goal of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.