Polish footballer and manager
Józef Walczak (born 3 January 1931 – 14 April 2016) was a Polish football player and manager. He mainly played for ŁKS Łódź during his playing career, made two international appearances for Poland between 1954 and 1956, and went on to manage eight different teams.
Walczak started his playing career with his local club ŁKS Łódź, playing with ŁKS for two seasons, winning promotion in the first season before finishing second in the top division the season after. He moved to Zawisza Bydgoszcz for two seasons, finishing third with the team in his first season. He returned to ŁKS in 1957, spending the next nine years at the club. He played for ŁKS during their golden years, helping them to their first I liga title in 1958, and lifting the Polish Cup in 1957, the only time the team have won the competition.[1] In total for ŁKS Łódź, Walczak made a total of 211 games scoring 11 goals.[2]
After his playing career, Walczak went on to manage ŁKS Łódź, Włókniarz Łódź, Włókniarz Pabianice, Motor Lublin, Bałtyk Gdynia, Lechia Gdańsk,[3] Stal Mielec and Cracovia.[4] His management career saw him finishing second in the II liga with Lechia in 1978, while achieving a third-place finish in the top division with Stal Mielec in 1982.[5]
Honours
Player
ŁKS Łódź
Zawisza Bydgoszcz
- II liga third place: 1955
Manager
Lechia Gdańsk
- II liga runner-up: 1977–78
Stal Mielec
References