Tomek Chodorowicz


In September of last year, the Polish FA (PZPN), following a long period of discussion, chose Franciszek “Franz” Smuda as the man to replace Leo Beenhakker as national team boss. The choice was a surprise to nobody. Not only did Smuda meet the PZPN’s most important criteria – namely that he is Polish – but he is also the most successful coach working in the domestic league, the Ekstraklasa. Despite this however, the key fact in Smuda’s favour was no doubt that he came with the full support of the Polish fans.

Critics of the PZPN wondered why the fans’ opinion was suddenly so important when it came to making such a crucial decision as hiring a coach to lead Poland into Euro 2012, which they co-host with Ukraine. The PZPN has never been a particularly popular organisation amongst the fans, but last year the ill-feeling between the PZPN and its president Grzegorz Lato and the country’s support reached new heights. The football association became Poland’s most hated institution, fans began to boycott the national team’s matches, and the fact that the Beenhakker’s side could not qualify from what seemed a fairy straightforward group to reach the World Cup only made the situation worse.

And where, in all that, did Franciszek Smuda stand? The 61-year-old is considered a spontaneous and unrestrained coach, someone who won’t allow anyone to interfere with his job. Smuda is also a very straightforward person, and had often criticised the PZPN. In short, Polish fans loved Smuda. And they demanded he be installed as the new coach. Partly behind this demand was a belief the Smuda could initiate crucial changes within the PZPN, and be in effect the fans’ inside man.

Smuda’s tough character made him far from president Lato’s preferred candidate for the job. But Lato had reached a point where he was prepared to do almost anything to sooth his relationship with the fans and end their protests. The PZPN‘s relationship with the supporters had already cost the governing body quite some money, due to empty stadiums and lost sponsorship deals.

The new boss has led an undistinguished playing career. An average, hard-working sweeper, Smuda played for several clubs in the Polish top flight, most notably Legia Warsaw, before leaving to play in the US. After his American adventure had come to an end, Smuda returned to Europe to end his career in the lower leagues of Germany. The defender never came close to playing for his country, and at that point there was little to mark him out for a career of note in the dugout.

Smuda entered management in Germany, continuing his journey of the lower divisions. After five years he migrated to Turkey, where in the 80s German coaches were very much in fashion. Three years in Turkey, spent mostly coaching Konyaspor served as a filler before he returned to his homeland in the mid-90s. Smuda made an instant impact, putting into practice what he had learned abroad and with exceptional results. Between 1995-99, Smuda picked up three championships (two with Widzew Lodz and one with Wisla Krakow) and took Widzew into the group stages of the Champions League. As the 21st century dawned he went on to work for most of the Ekstraklasa’s big clubs, but without picking up any more titles.

Three years ago came Smuda’s most recent big club job with Lech Poznan. Getting down to work, the 61-year-old soon built in Poznan the base of a new power in Polish football. The team not only competed for the title, but also played an attractive brand of football, something not seen too often in the Ekstraklasa. The crowning moment of his work saw the Polish Cup won, and progress made to the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, qualifying from their group ahead of Dutch giants Feyenoord, and competing well against Deportivo La Coruna. In the end, elimination at the hands of Serie A team Udinese came by just a single goal.

When asked by the media, Smuda often stated that he felt ready to go to the next level and lead Poland to Euro 2012. And finally, on 29th September, the PZPN voted fourteen to one that Smuda would fill the position vacated by Leo Beenhakker.

Upon Smuda’s appointment, the level of criticism levelled at the PZPN dramatically fell, and the boycott lost impetus and slowly died away. Initially however, Polish fans felt the new coach was not meeting their expectations. When asked about controversial issues and his new employers, Smuda spoke with admiration and denied ever having criticised them.

In November, Smuda had his first opportunity to prove what he was made of as Poland were due to meet Romania and Canada in friendlies. The match against Romania poorly resembled a game of football. The pitch was unsuitable and badly prepared. The players compared it to playing on a beach, and that’s exactly how the game looked. Poland’s 1-0 defeat seemed irrelevant. The meeting with Canada was somewhat better, and Poland emerged as 1-0 victors on a “normal” pitch. While Smuda hadn’t exactly passed this test with flying colours, he was not due any blame, but further progress was expected in future.

During the winter break, Franciszek Smuda’s primary occupation was talking to the press. Smuda declared it very unlikely that he will ever again require the services of the Brazilian born Pole at AEK Athens, Roger Guerreiro. Guerreiro, along with Artur Boruc, whose goalkeeping abilities Smuda doubted, was the country’s best player at Euro 2008, and Beenhakker’s favourite, but Smuda never hid the fact that he is not keen on the prospect of a Brazilian playing for the White and Reds. The coach also had a good laugh at Ebi Smolarek, Poland’s top scorer in the World Cup qualifiers, who, at the time, was searching for a new club.

After thinking about the players he would not necessarily call up, Smuda spoke about those he would. Two new names were mentioned, both from the German Bundesliga – Sebastian Boenisch of Werder Bremen and Eugen Polanski from Mainz. Both were born in Poland, to Polish parents. The problem was that neither had expressed a willingness to play for Poland or even held a Polish passport. Both have also had promising spells at German youth team level. Smuda travelled west to speak to these players several times. The new coach worked hard to convince both that their future was with the White and Reds. On the conclusion of each trip the coach returned beaming with confidence, assuring the fans that new quality would be added to the side very soon. A few months later however, neither has declared their readiness to represent Poland, or even request a Polish passport.

The new coach’s next meeting with the national team came with the Kings Cup in Thailand in early January. Poland’s opponents were Singapore, Denmark’s third team and the hosts, Thailand. While the sense of participating in the tournament was widely questioned, Smuda, alongside the PZPN, spoke of the importance of taking Polish league players (the only ones who could attend given this wasn’t an official FIFA date) before they started their preparations with their club sides. The Polish team lost 3-1 to Denmark, but easily beat Thailand and Singapore, and did a little sightseeing. Along with the team went several PZPN delegates and… Mrs Smuda. The presence of the coach’s wife at the national team’s training camp caused a small scandal, but not a big one. Everything would have been fine if only Smuda hadn’t tried to explain himself by saying Poland’s former coach Pawel Janas also took his spouse to several training camps. Unfortunately for Smuda, Janas had never taken his wife anywhere near the national team, and neither had any of his predecessors. Smuda had to issue a public apology.

Franciszek Smuda may not have got off to the most smooth of starts, but there is still a long road ahead of him. If Poland do well at Euro 2012 then all will be forgiven. Next up are Bulgaria in Warsaw, while plans are advanced for Smuda’s men to meet giants like Spain, Germany, Holland and Brazil before the opening of the big tournament on home soil. Smuda has two years and a handful of friendly matches to give Poland a real football team. It’s quite a challenge, and there remains a long way to go.

 

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