Łukasz Olkowicz from “Przegląd Sportowy” was the first to write about Kosta Runjaic’s dismissal on Tuesday morning. This information itself was shocking, because although Legia Warszawa is playing poorly this season – seven rounds before the end it is in fifth place, seven points behind the leader Jagiellonia Białystok – so far there have been signals from Łazienkowska that the club’s authorities still have confidence in it. to the German coach and they do not intend to make any nervous moves until the end of the season.
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First of all, sports director Jacek Zieliński, who brought Runjaić to Warsaw two years ago, had this patience. It was his original idea. An idea that Zieliński has defended in recent weeks and has argued at every opportunity that although he is aware that the team is in a hole, there is no question of dismissing the coach in Legia.
Just a few years ago, when the club was almost single-handedly managed by Dariusz Mioduski, a public declaration of support for the coach would have meant – perversely – his imminent end. But now, when Mioduski handed power into the hands of others – including Zieliński – it seemed that calmer times had come at Łazienkowska and the people managing the club were definitely more patient. Even after Sunday’s draw with Jagiellonia (1-1), after which Legia practically withdrew from the fight for the Polish championship, there was absolutely no indication that there would be a change of coach two days later at Łazienkowska Street.
Earthquake in Legia Warszawa
This is an earthquake, because several minutes after Runjaic’s release, another piece of information appeared. Even more shocking, Tomasz Włodarczyk from Meczyki.pl reported that Goncalo Feio is to be Runjaic’s successor. The club has not yet confirmed it, but said that it will introduce a new coach on Wednesday at 10 a.m. It is already certain that it will be a 34-year-old Portuguese who is the same age as Josue, the leader of Legia.
Feio spent the last year and a half at Motor Lublin. He was promoted to the first league, where he also did well this season as a newcomer. Three weeks ago – after the defeat against Stal Rzeszów – the Portuguese resigned. Even then, his decision was surprising, although not as surprising as what is happening now, i.e. that Feio returns to Warsaw after many years.
The Portuguese coach already worked at Legia. He came to Łazienkowska in 2010 from Benfica Lisbon, where he worked with juniors. At the beginning, at Legia, he was a volunteer of the youngest group of the Academy, then a coordinator of junior high school groups, he also trained boys born in 1998. In 2014, by decision of Henning Berg, he became a member of the analysis department created especially for the needs of the first team.
“Who knows, maybe in a few years I will come back to Łazienkowska”
– I’m not thinking about working as an analyst for now. My ambition is to be a coach and to return to the pitch. I am parting ways with Legia. I spent five years at this club and I am proud of the work I have done here. Who knows, maybe in a few years I will return to Łazienkowska – said Feio in December 2015.
And although he was already thinking about his return to Legia, Tuesday’s decision of the club’s authorities to employ him is an even bigger surprise than the dismissal of Runjaic. This season, the former coach of Legia was not defended by the results – although there is a paradox here, because the Warsaw team has just finished three good, best recent matches without defeat against Piast (3:1), Górnik (3:1) and Jagiellonia (1:1). ) – but there seemed to be something that Runjiacia was very protective of. That apart from the established and good relationship with Zieliński, there is a contract until June 2026 that has just been terminated.
Runjiaic’s departure is even more surprising considering that unofficially it is said that a few weeks ago, in a conversation with Zieliński – when the team was already in a hole – the German coach had declared that if he did not manage to advance to the cups this season, he would hand himself in. resign and give up his salary.
Legia still has a chance to play in the cups. With seven rounds left, it is seven points behind the leader Jagiellonia, but it is only three points behind Lech, which is in third place. Could Feio be fighting for something more than just a podium place this season? It’s hard to imagine.
2024-04-09 11:33:00
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