Raków Częstochowa will not sack coach Dawid Kroczek despite the crisis following European elimination and a disastrous league start. The club from near Jasna Góra lost 2-3 at home to Hajduk Split after extra time on Thursday, ending their dreams of European cups this season.
That defeat only deepened the problems for the 'Medaliki', who sit bottom of the Ekstraklasa table with zero points from three matches. Their record is three losses, three goals scored and six conceded. They are already eleven points behind leaders Legia Warszawa. The next match, against Jagiellonia Białystok the day after tomorrow, becomes a crucial test.
Will Dawid Kroczek lose his job at Raków?
After Thursday's loss, pressure on the 37-year-old coach reached its peak. His position was not strong even before that match. However the club's board has not yet made a decision to change the coach. Journalist Kamil Głębocki stated: "From what I managed to find out today, there is no decision to dismiss coach Kroczek."
This suggests Dawid Kroczek will get a few more chances to get the team back on track. The club is apparently considering whether a coaching change so close to important matches makes sense. After facing Jagiellonia, Raków have tough games against Lech Poznań and Górnik Zabrze. A new coach would not have time to implement significant changes before this series.
What are the causes of Raków's crisis?
The crisis at Raków Częstochowa has a double source. The first is the painful elimination from European competitions, which deprived the club of prestige and financial benefits. The second is the disastrous start to the Ekstraklasa season. After three matchdays, the team has not earned a single point, which is the worst possible start. Detailed league statistics can be tracked on our stats page.
The club, which was a finalist in the Polish Cup last season, is currently displaying form far from expectations. They have scored only three goals and conceded six. This is their worst league position in years. Pressure on the coach will only increase as the international break in October approaches, if no clear improvement is visible.
What's next for the team before the break?
Raków's immediate schedule is very demanding. Right after the match with Jagiellonia Białystok, they face a trip to Lech Poznań and then a game against Górnik Zabrze. These are three tough tests in a short time. The team's current fixture plan is available on our fixtures page.
Dawid Kroczek is aware of the situation. After Thursday's match he commented: "That question is not for me. As long as I have influence on the team, I will do everything to get out of this slump." His words show determination, but also an awareness that the decision is not his to make. The club will most likely assess the situation after this series of matches, just before the break for international duty.
How does the Ekstraklasa table look before the next round?
Raków Częstochowa urgently needs to earn points to close the gap to safety in the table. They currently have zero points and a -3 goal difference. Their next home league match is not until November 21st against Widzew Łódź, who are in 9th place. Before then, they must find a way to stop the negative series. The current league standings can be checked in our standings.
The club faces a difficult choice: give the current coach a chance to improve, or seek an immediate change. For now, they have chosen the first option. A decision on Kroczek's possible dismissal may come if the first points do not arrive in the coming weeks.
