Raków Częstochowa is close to appointing a new sporting director following their defeat to Hajduk Split and a disastrous start to the domestic season. The club was eliminated from Conference League qualification after a 2:3 home loss to the Croatian side in the return leg.
This event has accelerated plans for structural changes at the club. Raków has been operating without a head of the sports department for some time. Last season, squad reinforcements were largely handled by Artur Płatek, who later moved to Widzew Łódź. Now, the search for his successor is entering a decisive phase.
Pressure is also mounting on first-team coach Dawid Kroczek. Raków Częstochowa has zero points after the first three matchdays of the Ekstraklasa and sits in last, 18th place in the league table. Their record is zero wins, zero draws, and three losses, with recent form marked as LLL. Coach Kroczek admitted the mood is somber. “We are all sad today, all that remains is to work,” he told reporters after the European exit. When asked about his potential dismissal, he replied, “That question is not for me.” Despite this, media reports indicate his sacking is a real possibility.
Criticism is also directed at the club's 37-year-old owner, Michał Świerczewski. The club, which in recent years regularly played in European competitions, has suddenly found itself in a deep crisis. After dropping out of the Conference League, only Lech Poznań and Jagiellonia Białystok will represent Poland in UEFA competitions. This is a major blow to Raków's prestige and budget. In the league, the team has scored only three goals while conceding six, resulting in a -3 goal difference. They already trail league leaders Legia Warszawa by eleven points.
This is precisely why hiring a new sporting director has become a priority. The new manager will need to quickly assess the squad situation and prepare the club for the winter transfer window. Their task will also be to cooperate with the coach – whether that remains Dawid Kroczek or his successor.
The team's next test will be a league match against Widzew Łódź, scheduled for November 21, 2026. Raków will play at home against a side currently in 9th place in the table. Before this match, the club has time for internal reorganization. Fans can follow the preparations and the current squad on the club's squad page. It will be key whether the new sporting director can influence the atmosphere before this clash. The team's current state can also be tracked in detailed team stats. Raków Częstochowa is facing one of its biggest challenges in recent years, and decisions made in the coming weeks will determine the club's future direction.
