Castellani, 61, currently coaching Turkish men’s team Fenerbahçe HDI Sigorta, has signed a six-year contract for what will be his first experience in charge of a women’s team.

He will replace Hernan Ferraro, who led Argentina to their second Olympic appearance in Tokyo, where they finished 11th, and helped the team reach the second round of the International Volleyball Federation Women’s World Championship for the first time earlier this year.

Castellani will also serve as a co-ordinator for Argentina’s youth national teams and will have a role in expanding and strengthening the development of young players in the country’s national and regional leagues.

"I’m really happy and honoured with this move," Castellani said.

"To coach Las Panteras (The Panthers) is a unique opportunity and a massive challenge.

"We have a lot of work to do."

As a player Castellani was part of the squads that took bronze at both the 1982 Men's Volleyball World Championship and the Seoul 1988 Olympics.

He retired in 1993 and one year later took over as the head coach of the Argentina men’s national team.

He remained in the position until 1999 and helped the team take gold at the 1995 Pan American Games and win multiple medals at the South American Championship and the America’s Cup.

His national team experience also includes two years with Poland between 2009 and 2010, when he won the 2009 European Championship, and another two with Finland.

Castellani also has an extensive and successful club coaching career, having managed teams in his native Argentina, Italy, Poland, Turkey and Brazil, winning national titles in four of these countries.