Boniek set to rejuvenate Poland
Monday, July 8, 2002
Article summary
Poland legend Zbigniew Boniek was named his country's new national team coach on Monday.
Article body
New Poland coach Zbigniew Boniek is to make changes to an ageing national side as he bids to secure qualification for the UEFA European Championship final round for the first time in the country's history.
'Positive attitude' needed
Former coach Jerzy Engel lost his job after Poland's early exit from the recent FIFA World Cup finals. "We will surely consider whether some experienced players have not been burned out," former Poland striker Boniek said today after being unveiled by the Polish Football Federation (PZPN). "I need young players with a positive attitude."
Difficult job
Boniek, who made his name as a player with Italian club Juventus FC, faces a difficult job in rejuvenating his national side's fortunes ahead of the EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign. Under Engel at the World Cup, Poland lost 2-0 to the Korean Republic and were hammered 4-0 by Portugal in Group D, meaning their 3-1 win against the United States was not enough to guarantee a place in the knockout stages.
'Stress and sleepless nights'
Nevertheless, the 46-year-old Boniek, now with his trademark wavy ginger hair trimmed, insisted he would relish the challenge. "Recently my life was too steady. I needed a calling - now I am guaranteed stress and sleepless nights," said Boniek, dubbed 'bello di notte' ('beautiful by night') for his performances under floodlights as Juventus captured the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1985. "Risk is part of this job but I am absolutely not afraid of risk."
Platini's partner
Boniek, who scored 24 times in 80 internationals for Poland, helped his country finish third at the 1982 World Cup finals and also won acclaim as Michel Platini's strike partner in Turin before moving to AS Roma. In recent years, he has become involved in sports advertising and has been a vice-president of the PZPN, a position he will relinquish on Friday.
Coaching experience
His track record as coach is far less impressive, having led both US Lecce and AS Bari in the Italian Serie A in the late 1980s. Some critics have said Poland should have hired a foreign coach following the departure of Engel, who was criticised for not calling up new faces even when established players had clearly lost form.
Dual nationality
But the fiery Boniek, who also holds Italian citizenship, responded in typical wise-cracking fashion. "If you want a foreign coach, here's my Italian passport," he said. "If you want a Polish trainer, I can also show you my Polish documents." Boniek's task now will be to try to lead Poland to the EURO 2004™ finals. They are in qualifying Group 4 alongside Hungary, Latvia, San Marino and Sweden.