Introducing new assistant coaches

Following the recently won vice-championship title, Lech has decided to make changes in the coaching staff. Dariusz Skrzypczak, the former assistant coach, joined PKO Ekstraklasa’s newcomers Stal Mielec. Meanwhile, Karol Bartkowiak will now be overseeing the reserves as the assistant coach with a focus on players who are looking to join the senior team.

“It was made clear that the coach wanted to complete his coaching staff before the preseason started, therefore on Monday and Tuesday, we finalised the agreements with the new assistant coaches. We have been working on it for some time now. We wanted the assistant coaches to align with our philosophy. The decision to make changes in the coaching staff was made and after meticulous discussions, we present the results. What's important is to also simultaneously strengthen the coaching connection between the first team and the Academy,” highlighted Tomasz Rząsa, Lech’s Sporting Director.

One of the new assistants is Janusz Góra. The former player of Górnik Wałbrzych and Śląsk Wrocław has 11 caps on his account. For the past 28 years, he has lived abroad. First, Góra played for various German clubs, and then he became a coach. He has had the chance to manager SSV Ulm 1846 and Red Bull Salzburg’s youth teams. For the last 5 years, he was a coach at FC Liefering – an Austrian club playing in the second division which a feeder club for Red Bull and where all promising Salzburg players get their experience before joining the senior team. The 57-year-old Pole worked at FC Liefering as an assistant and first coach.

“He has immense experience gathered at one of Europe’s best talent factories which is Red Bull Salzburg. Similarly to us, Salzburg puts an emphasis on youth, plays offensive football with high pressing, and is aiming to dominate on the pitch. Hence, Janusz Góra perfectly fits my coaching staff since our philosophy is basically identical,” said Dariusz Żuraw.

The second assistant coach, Dariusz Dudka, is a well-known Polish footballer who has 65 caps on his account. For the past 5 years, Dudka has been involved with Lech. First, he played for the senior team, then for the reserves and helped the B team get promoted to the higher division. Back at the reserves, Dudka established a relationship with Żuraw.

“Darek was my right hand on the pitch [in the reserves] and made the perfect leader for young players. His relationship with youngsters was great; he has helped them develop as players. Together we led individual training sessions for the most talented footballers. Step by step, we have been preparing Dudka for this role,” explained Żuraw. The former Polish representative spent the last year working for the Academy. He also has the UEFA A coaching license.

One of the youngsters who had the chance to play alongside Dudka and is now a senior-squad member is Jakub Kamiński. “I made my first steps in senior football alongside Dudka. He has helped young players a lot, both on and off the pitch. He played a key role in maintaining a good atmosphere in the team and supported us with his experience. There have been funny moments but whenever we needed to be told off, Dudka did it without hesitation. His balance between being a good and a bad cop was basically perfect. The fact that Dariusz will now be an assistant coach will make a lot of youth players happy,” said Kamiński.

In addition, Łukasz Becella has also been appointed assistant coach. “Last year he joined us as an analyst but also helped with everyday coaching matters. Łukasz will continue working as an assistant analyst coach,” explained Żuraw.

So, what does the final coaching staff for 2020/21 season look like? Dariusz Żuraw remains the first-team coach and he will be working with three assistant coaches: Janusz Góra, Dariusz Dudka, and Łukasz Becella. The latter will also continue overseeing the analysis aspect of coaching together with Hubert Barański. Meanwhile, Michał Chamera is going to work with the goalkeepers and Karol Kikut together with Andrzej Kasprzak are going to oversee the fitness of the squad.