Clash of two experienced coaches

Interestingly, Skorża and Fornalik used to work together. Over 17 years ago, Skorża took over Amica Wronki team during the 2004/2005 preseason. Fornalik joined Amica to become his assistant coach. Skorża’s choice of his staff was even more important considering that we would occasionally miss the team’s training sessions as he was simultaneously working as the national team’s assistant coach. “Waldemar proved himself at Górnik Zabrze, he is a very competent man. I observed his work at Górnik and saw how quickly the team managed to switch to defence – that is something I want to achieve here at Amica too,” explained Skorża, nearly two decades ago.

The two coaches worked together for a year before going in different directions. Fornalik joined Odra Wodzisław Śląski in the summer. It wasn’t the coach’s first job as the team’s manager – he led Górnik Zabrze since spring 2001. Interestingly, back in 1997, he also acted as the first coach for a single match – Ruch Chorzów’s clash with Wisła Cracow (1:0) – when Ornest Lenczyk was abroad.

For the past 20 years, Fornalik has had just one long break from coaching a top-division Polish team – it was after Euro 2012 when he was appointed Polish national team coach. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Fornalik has the most matches on his account from all coaches, i.e. 446 which is 180 more than Skorża. However, it’s important to remember that the latter manager has had a nearly 4-year break after he left Pogoń in autumn 2017 and then spent two years abroad coaching a Saudi Arabia side. The podium of the most experienced Polish coaches is completed by Jacek Zieliński who is currently managing Cracovia.

When it comes to average points won per match (1,78 pts), Lech’s coach is the leader with 137 triumphs, 62 draws and 67 losses. He has three championship titles on his account – more than any other coach. Meanwhile, Fornalik won the Polish championship three years ago with Piast but has an average of 1,44 pts per game, with 176 wins, 115 draws and 155 matches lost.

Nonetheless, there is no doubt that these are the two most experienced coaches working in the Polish top division and their rivalry from the sidelines always forecasts an interesting show.

PKO BP EKSTRAKLASA COACHES