John-John Dohmen, who retired last summer as the most-capped player in hockey history with 481 caps, has been appointed as France men’s head coach.
The former Red Lion hopes to instill a “winning culture” with the French national side after garlanded success with Belgium and Les Bleus parting company with Fred Soyez following Paris 2024.
“He has won everything, and he has had a profound impact on Belgian hockey and its style of play,” said Henri Claude Lambert, the newly appointed French hockey president.
“The goal is to instill a different mindset and a winning culture, something he has epitomized throughout his career.”
The Red Lion announced his international retirement after Belgium, the defending champions, were beaten in the Olympic quarter-finals.
Dohmen’s coaching staff will include Spanish Olympic medallist Ramon Sala as coaching assistant and Dutchman Jeroen Hertzberger as forwards coach.
Meanwhile, Dutch great Eva Drummond has joined Alyson Annan as her coaching assistant with China women.
A three-time Olympic gold medallist with Oranje women, Drummond is still playing at domestic level having teamed up with Perth Thundersticks in the Hockey One league, a title she won.
She also tasted success last year with Amsterdam in the Euro Hockey League.
Now she will team up with Annan as China aims to cement their status as Olympic silver medallists.
