Former Dinamo and Hajduk coach gets new job: Three Croats await him at Polish first-division club

Croatian football manager Željko Kopić has taken on a new challenge, officially appointed as the head coach of Polish first-division club Wieczysta Kraków. This move comes after his tenure with Romanian club Dinamo București concluded in June. Wieczysta Kraków is embarking on its historic debut season in the Ekstraklasa, Poland's top football league, after achieving promotion through the playoffs last season.

The club, which spent most of its history in lower divisions, saw a significant rise starting in 2020 following investment from Wojciech Kwiecień, owner of a pharmacy chain. Wieczysta climbed through the ranks, securing third place in the second tier last season, which led to their successful playoff campaign and entry into the elite league. However, their inaugural Ekstraklasa season has started poorly, with only one win and three losses in their first four matches, placing them 17th in the league standings with three points.

The team's recent 3-2 loss in the city derby against Cracovia proved to be the final straw for the previous coach, Kazimierz Moskal. Club vice-president and sporting director Sławomir Peszko had publicly indicated in early August that Moskal would not finish the season, adding to the pressure. Club owner Kwiecień is known for his impatience and demand for immediate results, with the team's poor defensive performance being a key concern.

Kopić, a 48-year-old strategist from Osijek, faces a demanding task with a team considered a favorite for relegation and an impatient board. However, his career track record demonstrates a knack for turning around struggling teams. Notably, during his last stint in Romania, he took over Dinamo București when they were at the bottom of the league and guided them to a position where they competed for the top spots, earning him the title of Romanian Coach of the Year for two consecutive seasons. His previous coaching roles include stints with Lučko, Cibalia, Zagreb, Slaven Belupo, Hajduk, Pafos, Dinamo Zagreb, and Botev Plovdiv.

Kopić will find familiar faces in the Wieczysta squad, as three Croatian players are part of the team: goalkeeper Nikola Čavlina, who is on loan from Dinamo, and former Hajduk defender A.