Raków Częstochowa sacked coach Dawid Kroczek on Monday, September 1, 2026, launching an urgent search for a new head coach. The decision came after a disastrous start to the season that has left the club in its weakest position in recent memory.
The Częstochowa club ended cooperation with Kroczek immediately following a heavy 2-5 defeat to Jagiellonia Białystok. This was their fourth consecutive loss in the Ekstraklasa, leaving Raków bottom of the table in 18th place with zero points. The team also failed to advance from the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers, deepening the crisis. A new coach is expected to be chosen within the coming days, if not hours.
Who will replace Dawid Kroczek?
Two main candidates with prior club connections are in the frame for the vacant position. The first is Portuguese coach Gonçalo Feio, who served as an assistant at Raków between 2020 and 2022. Feio has recent experience as a head coach at Portuguese club Tondela. The other serious candidate is Dawid Szwarga, a well-known figure at Raków, currently an assistant to Rafał Góra at GKS Katowice.
Journalist Mateusz Borek commented on the choice facing the board. "Feio or Szwarga? Szwarga, or maybe Feio after all? That is the question. The answer could come as soon as tomorrow," Borek said. The decision must be swift, given the dire league situation. Raków have scored only five goals while conceding eleven, resulting in a -6 goal difference. They trail league leaders Legia Warszawa by a massive twelve points.
What is the current situation in the Ekstraklasa?
The start of the 2026/27 season has been a string of failures for Raków. Four consecutive defeats represent the worst possible opening. The team's recent form is marked as LLLL, clearly illustrating the scale of the problems. The club has not been in such a difficult situation in its recent history, which included a Polish championship and regular European appearances.
The crisis isn't just about results. The squad is also missing a key player. Erick Otieno is currently sidelined with an injury, limiting the tactical options for the incoming coach. The full squad status can be tracked on our squad page.
What awaits Raków in the coming weeks?
The new manager will have no time for a settling-in period. His first major test will be an away match against the league leaders. Raków will face Legia Warszawa on November 7, 2026. This clash with the current best team in the league will be extremely demanding.
Before that match, the team must find internal stability and rebuild morale. The fixture list for this difficult period is available on our fixtures page. Stopping the negative streak and securing the first points to close the gap to safety will be essential. The current league table can be analyzed in the standings section.
The challenge for the new coach is enormous. He must not only improve results but, above all, restore belief in a team that was Polish champion not long ago. The board's decision, whether to opt for club-known Szwarga or the Portuguese style of Feio, will be made soon. Raków's next match is away to Legia Warszawa on November 7.
