2011 PFS Rank – Managers

This is the second edition of Polish Football Scout Ranking but the rules have changed this year – instead of my own opinions, a selected panel of experts put nominated players in direct order that gave them points – 5 for the No. 1, 3 for the No. 2, 1.5 for the No. 3 and 0.5 for Special Mentions. They were very harsh and at several positions top spots were empty, while at others only one or two footballers deserved to be picked. Out of twelve categories, only three players were given the maximum number of points by each expert and there are definitely few surprises. More information about experts and results in all categories can be found at special page – 2011 Polish Football Scout Ranking.

3rd place – Waldemar Fornalik (Ruch Chorzow, 11.04.1963, in job since 27.04.2009) – 10.5 points

They may not know it yet but it seems that signing Fornalik as Ruch’s manager was their best decision in modern history. Calm, wise and hard working manager with very limited resources at Chorzow has done remarkably well with his team – leading them to top half finish last season after finishing third and then making them back all the way to this position again in the first round of current campaign. And to think, that with their financial problems, poor base and bleak future, he works that well as directors are only looking to sell those players that are standing out in any way.

In his CV he can write: Mediocre team led for the to respectable position, despite being traditionally weakened. He can write it even three times – Andrzej Gomołysek

The best in creating something out of nothing. Disregarded but he will lead the team with European aspirations very soon – Maciej Chorążyk

2^nd place – Maciej Skorża (Legia Warszawa, 10.01.1972, in job since 01.06.2010) – 13 points

Six months ago, Legia was negotiating the replacement for him as the Polish Cup won was not a consolation not good enough to make up for awful league campaign. But he didn’t care much, he worked under severe pressure and build the team out of nothing and although huge mistakes were made with several transfers, he finally found out that the biggest strength his team have is in youth. He injected several players to the team and that bold move paid off – domestically and on European stage, where Legia impressed and won promotion from own Europa League group after just four games. Yes, they are still looking shaky at times, maybe not having enough character to win everything yet but that doesn’t mean he didn’t do enough to prove that he is the right man for the job – arguably, he did as much as he only could.

He worked under extreme pressure in first six months, was so close to the sack but decided to continue his work. And he had a plan for this – Michał Zachodny

Good second part of the year -  Kibu Vicuna

1^st place – Orest Lenczyk (Śląsk Wroclaw, 28.12.1942, in job since 27.09.2010) – 18.5 points

Last season was remarkable for his current team. When he came to the club and said that this ship is sinking and if he knew how bad the situation is before the signing he would have second thoughts, everyone prepared for the long and hard relegation battle. But he made Śląsk solid at the back again, then learned them how to use set pieces again, injected some fluency to their game, rotated the squad very well and they finished second, scoring the most goals in Ekstraklasa, being also the biggest sensation. They confirmed it in reasonably good adventure in Europe while they are topping the league table again with good gap between them and Legia, looking hopeful for the first title in 30 years. Some say that it’s down to the players and he is a man with few mistakes himself but with his experience and wisdom, he knows what it takes to bring success to Polish club. His current team is the best example of that.

The most points won in 2011, huge chances for the championship – Michał Szadkowski

It terms of result - number one. In terms of style of play - far from it. Has a squad of good, but in many cases underrated players and just deploys them in appropriate way. His Slask's tactics is very simple, he tries not to disrupt players in doing their work, however his hand is visible in great physical form of the players – Andrzej Gomołysek

SPECIAL MENTIONS: Michał Probierz (Aris Thessaloniki (Greece), 24.09.1972, in job since 04.11.2011, 7 points) Very strange year for him – after achieving the biggest success in Jagiellonia’s history, almost resigning at the end of the season too, he was sacked just before the league has started after poor results in Europe. Then he saved ŁKS from certain relegation with couple of decent weeks in job before moving to Greece where he has a decent side in financial troubles that needs some character again. He is up for the job and does well so far.

Also ranked: Robert Kasperczyk (Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biala, 22.01.1967, in job since 07.12.2009, 0.5 point)