Poland mourns the loss of a significant figure in its football history as Wojciech Łazarek, former coach of the national team and renowned manager, passed away at the age of 86. Łazarek, celebrated for his coaching stints with Lech Poznań and his contributions to various clubs at home and abroad, leaves behind a legacy etched in Polish football lore.
The news of Łazarek’s passing was shared by representatives of Lech Poznań, the club where he carved his name into the annals of Polish football glory. His tenure as the coach saw Lech Poznań clinch multiple national titles, with two league championships and an equal number of domestic cup triumphs, a testament to his coaching prowess and the impact he had on the team.
His achievements at Lech Poznań didn’t go unnoticed by the Polish Football Association. In 1986, Łazarek took over as the national team’s head coach, succeeding Antoni Piechniczek, a role he held until 1989.
Łazarek’s coaching journey extended far beyond Poznań’s borders. He lent his expertise to various clubs including Lechia Gdańsk, Łódzki KS, Widzew Łódź, Wisła Kraków, Śląsk Wrocław, and Jagiellonia Białystok. Moreover, his coaching odyssey ventured internationally, with stints in Sweden, Egypt, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. His global impact extended to guiding the Sudan national team between 2002 and 2004, culminating in his final coaching tenure at Ilanka Rzepin in 2008.