View source for Franciszek Smuda

{{Short description|Polish football manager and player (1948–2024)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Franciszek Smuda
| image = Franciszek Smuda 1.jpg
| upright = 1.1
| caption = Smuda in 2013
| fullname = 
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1948|6|22}}
| birth_place = [[Lubomia]], [[Polish People's Republic|Poland]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2024|8|18|1948|6|22}}
| death_place = [[Kraków]], Poland
| height = 
| position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]]
| youthyears1 = 1962–1967
| youthclubs1 = Unia Racibórz
| years1 = 1967–1969
| clubs1 = [[Odra Wodzisław Śląski]]
| caps1 = 
| goals1 = 
| years2 = 1970
| clubs2 = [[Ruch Chorzów]]
| caps2 = 
| goals2 = 
| years3 = 1970–1971
| clubs3 = [[Stal Mielec]]
| caps3 = 
| goals3 = 
| years4 = 1971–1974
| clubs4 = [[Piast Gliwice]]
| caps4 = 
| goals4 = 
| years5 = 1975
| clubs5 = Vistula Garfield
| caps5 = 
| goals5 = 
| years6 = 1975
| clubs6 = [[Hartford Bicentennials]]
| caps6 = 20
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 1975–1977
| clubs7 = [[Legia Warsaw]]
| caps7 = 33
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 1978
| clubs8 = [[Los Angeles Aztecs]]
| caps8 = 10
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 1978
| clubs9 = [[Oakland Stompers]]
| caps9 = 13
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 1978
| clubs10 = [[San Jose Earthquakes]]
| caps10 = 2
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 1979–1982
| clubs11 = [[SpVgg Fürth]]
| caps11 = 17
| goals11 = 1
| years12 = 1982
| clubs12 = [[DVV Coburg|VfR Coburg]]
| caps12 = 
| goals12 = 
| manageryears1 = 1983
| managerclubs1 = [[DVV Coburg|VfR Coburg]]
| manageryears2 = 1984–1987
| managerclubs2 = ASV Forth
| manageryears3 = 1988
| managerclubs3 = [[FC Herzogenaurach]]
| manageryears4 = 1989
| managerclubs4 = [[Altay S.K.|Altay]]
| manageryears5 = 1992
| managerclubs5 = [[Konyaspor]]
| manageryears6 = 1993
| managerclubs6 = FV Wendelstein
| manageryears7 = 1993–1995
| managerclubs7 = [[Stal Mielec]]
| manageryears9 = 1995–1998
| managerclubs9 = [[Widzew Łódź]]
| manageryears10 = 1998–1999
| managerclubs10 = [[Wisła Kraków]]
| manageryears11 = 1999–2001
| managerclubs11 = [[Legia Warsaw]]
| manageryears12 = 2001–2002
| managerclubs12 = [[Wisła Kraków]]
| manageryears13 = 2002
| managerclubs13 = [[Widzew Łódź]]
| manageryears14 = 2003
| managerclubs14 = [[Piotrcovia Piotrków Trybunalski]]
| manageryears15 = 2003
| managerclubs15 = [[Widzew Łódź]]
| manageryears16 = 2004
| managerclubs16 = [[Widzew Łódź]]
| manageryears17 = 2004
| managerclubs17 = [[AC Omonia|Omonia]]
| manageryears18 = 2004–2005
| managerclubs18 = [[Odra Wodzisław Śląski]]
| manageryears19 = 2005–2006
| managerclubs19 = [[Zagłębie Lubin]]
| manageryears20 = 2006–2009
| managerclubs20 = [[Lech Poznań]]
| manageryears21 = 2009
| managerclubs21 = [[Zagłębie Lubin]]
| manageryears22 = 2009–2012
| managerclubs22 = [[Poland national football team|Poland]]
| manageryears23 = 2013
| managerclubs23 = [[SSV Jahn Regensburg|Jahn Regensburg]]
| manageryears24 = 2013–2015
| managerclubs24 = [[Wisła Kraków]]
| manageryears25 = 2016–2017
| managerclubs25 = [[Górnik Łęczna]]
| manageryears26 = 2017–2018
| managerclubs26 = [[Widzew Łódź]]
| manageryears27 = 2018–2019
| managerclubs27 = [[Górnik Łęczna]]
| manageryears28 = 2021–2022
| managerclubs28 = [[Wieczysta Kraków]]
}}

'''Franciszek Smuda''' ({{IPA|pl|fraɲˈt͡ɕiʂɛk ˈsmuda}}; 22 June 1948 – 18 August 2024) was a Polish [[Association football|football]] player and [[Manager (association football)|manager]].

As a player, he spent his career playing for clubs in Poland, the United States and Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://gnn.pl/franciszek-smuda-odszedl-jeden-z-najbardziej-pamietnych-trenerow-pilkarskich/ |language=pl |title=Franciszek Smuda – odszedł jeden z najbardziej pamiętnych trenerów piłkarskich |website=gnn.pl |author=Krzysztof Szujecki |date=20 August 2024 |access-date=22 December 2024}}</ref> In 1983, he turned to coaching, becoming the manager of [[Widzew Łódź]], [[Wisła Kraków]], [[Legia Warsaw]] and [[Lech Poznań]], among others. He has won three [[Ekstraklasa|Polish Ekstraklasa]] titles. From 2009 he was the manager of the [[Poland national football team|Poland national team]],<ref name=PolandNT2/> but resigned on 16 June 2012, following their elimination from Euro 2012.<ref name="Smuda quits after Poland exit">{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=1651101/index.html?cid=rssfeed&att=|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123065500/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/news/newsid=1651101/index.html?cid=rssfeed&att=|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 January 2013|title=Smuda quits after Poland exit|date=16 June 2012|access-date=16 June 2012|publisher=FIFA.com}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Smuda was born in [[Lubomia]], [[Wodzisław County]], Poland, as a son of Gerard, a railway worker, and Marta.<ref name=r1>{{cite web|title=Smuda, Franciszek|url=http://wyborcza.pl/1,75248,91981.html|publisher=wyborcza.pl|access-date=31 May 2013 | language = Polish}}</ref>

== Playing career ==
As a player, Smuda played as a [[defender (association football)|defender]].<ref name=u /> He began his career at Unia Racibórz and later played for [[Odra Wodzisław Śląski]]. He got his debut in the [[Ekstraklasa]] playing for [[Stal Mielec]] during the 1970–71 season. He also played for [[Piast Gliwice]], followed by a short spell at Vistula Garfield in the USA. He also participated in the NASL [[Hartford Bi-Centennials]]. In 1975 Smuda returned to Poland to play for [[Legia Warsaw]].<ref name=r1 /> In 1978, he returned to the USA again to play for three other NASL clubs.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Dave Morrison|title=Franz Smuda|url=http://nasljerseys.com/Players/S/Smuda.Franz.htm|access-date=8 April 2009}}</ref> He finished his career as a player in Germany before turning his attention to managing.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

== Managerial career ==
Smuda began his coaching career successfully in the lower leagues in Germany. During the late 1980s, he was appointed a manager in Turkey. He coached [[Altay Izmir]] and [[Konyaspor]] for a total of four years. In 1993, Smuda returned to Poland to help save [[Stal Mielec]] from relegation. During the seasons in Mielec, he managed to maintain the team in the Ekstraklasa.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Widzew Łódź ===
In May 1995, Smuda was appointed the manager of [[Widzew Łódź]] and finished in second place behind Legia Warsaw in the 1994–95 season. The following season, Smuda managed not losing a single game in the league. The 1995–96 season was another successful one with Widzew's [[Marek Koniarek]] scoring the most goals in the league at 29. Widzew qualified for the [[UEFA Champions League]] competition for the 1996–97 season. Smuda managed the team to eliminate the Danish champions, [[Brøndby IF]] and advanced to the group stage. Widzew were drawn into a group containing [[Atlético Madrid]], [[Borussia Dortmund]] and [[FC Steaua București|Steaua Bucharest]]. Widzew finished the group in third place. The team from Łódź were able to repeat their feat of winning the [[Ekstraklasa]] again. The next season was not as promising as Widzew's management sold some of their key players and were eliminated in the qualifying phases of the Champions League. Widzew finished in 4th place that year and were unable to qualify for any European competitions. Shortly thereafter, Smuda moved to Wisła Kraków where he had much success.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.laczynaspilka.pl/biblioteka/kroniki/trener-z-charyzma-i-sukcesami |language=pl |title=Trener z charyzmą i sukcesami |website=laczynaspilka.pl |author=Piotr Kuczkowski |date=18 August 2024 |access-date=22 December 2024}}</ref>

=== Wisła Kraków ===
Smuda was appointed the manager of [[Wisła Kraków]] after the 1997–98 season. His goal was to build a team that would be not only be successful in Poland but also in European competitions. Smuda won the Polish League the following season, however, Wisła was ejected from European tournaments due to a fan throwing a knife at [[Dino Baggio]] during a UEFA Cup match against [[Parma F.C.|Parma]]. In September 1999, Smuda was dismissed as manager after team's first defeat in the 1997–98 season.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Legia Warsaw ===
After leaving Wisła in September 1999, Smuda was hired as manager of Legia Warsaw, replacing [[Dariusz Kubicki]]. However, he did not win any trophies or qualify for any European competitions. After a 4–0 defeat to [[Zagłębie Lubin]] in March 2001, Smuda was sacked.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Return to Wisła Kraków ===
In June 2001, Smuda was re-hired as a coach of [[Ekstraklasa]] champions [[Wisła Kraków]]. He failed to defeat [[FC Barcelona]] in the third qualifying round of the [[UEFA Champions League]]. After losing two league matches to [[Polonia Warsaw]] and [[Legia Warsaw]] in March 2002, he was sacked and replaced by [[Henryk Kasperczak]].{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Other clubs (2002–2006) ===
Subsequently, Smuda managed [[Widzew Łódź]], [[Piotrcovia Piotrków Trybunalski]] as well as the Cypriot team [[AC Omonia|Omonia]].{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

In 2004, Smuda re-joined [[Odra Wodzisław]], it was a return to his homeland. Smuda successfully helped the side stave off relegation. A year later, he finished third in the league with [[Zagłębie Lubin]] earning a spot in the [[UEFA Cup]] for the 2006–07 season.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Lech Poznań===
In May 2006, Smuda was hired as the manager of [[Lech Poznań]] following the club's merger with [[Amica Wronki]]. He led the club to a sixth-place finish in the [[2006–07 Ekstraklasa|2006–07]] season and fourth the [[2007–08 Ekstraklasa|following season]]. He also qualified for [[2008–09 UEFA Cup]] round of 32 with Lech. In the [[2008–09 Ekstraklasa]] season, Lech Poznań managed to reach the top of the league table by the winter break, but a series of draws during the spring round resulted in a third-place finish at the end of the season. His contract with the club was not extended.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Return to Zagłębie ===
After several seasons with Lech Poznań, he returned to [[Zagłębie Lubin]] in September 2009.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

=== Poland national team ===
On 29 October 2009, Smuda was chosen as the new manager of the [[Poland national football team|Poland national team]].<ref name=PolandNT2>{{cite news | url = https://www.uefa.com/news/0254-0d7c8911648e-3cf291e456c4-1000--smuda-lands-dream-poland-job/ | title = Smuda lands 'dream' Poland job | date = 29 October 2009 | work = [[UEFA]] | access-date = 31 May 2013}}</ref><ref name=PolandNT>{{cite news | url = http://wyborcza.pl/1,75248,7199378,Smuda_trenerem_reprezentacji_.html | title = Smuda trenerem reprezentacji! | language = Polish | date = 29 October 2009 | work = [[Gazeta Wyborcza]] | access-date = 29 October 2009}}</ref> After a disappointing [[UEFA Euro 2012]] tournament in which Poland finished last in their group behind [[Russia national football team|Russia]], [[Greece national football team|Greece]] and the [[Czech Republic national football team|Czech Republic]], Smuda left his post as manager directly after the final defeat of the campaign.<ref name="Smuda quits after Poland exit"/>

== Personal life and death ==
Smuda was married to Małgorzata.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.pl/sport/1,65025,8550971,Smuda__Frankowski_trenerem___to_moj_pomysl.html|title=Smuda: Frankowski trenerem – to mój pomysł | language = Polish |publisher=sport.pl|access-date=31 May 2013 | date = 21 October 2010}}</ref>  He held a German passport.<ref name=u>{{UEFA coach|name=Franciszek Smuda|id=150061338|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> He died on 18 August 2024, at the age of 76.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nie żyje Franciszek Smuda. Słynny trener zmarł w wielu 76 lat |url=https://lubie.krakow.pl/nie-zyje-franciszek-smuda-slynny-trener-zmarl-w-wielu-76-lat/ |access-date=18 August 2024 |publisher=Lubie Kraków |date=18 August 2024}}</ref>

== Honours ==

===Managerial===
'''Widzew Łódź'''
*[[Ekstraklasa]]: [[1995–96 Ekstraklasa|1995–96]], [[1996–97 Ekstraklasa|1996–97]], runner-up: [[1994–95 Ekstraklasa|1994–95]]
*[[Polish Super Cup]]: 1996

'''Wisła Kraków'''
*Ekstraklasa: [[1998–99 Ekstraklasa|1998–99]]
*[[Polish Super Cup]]: 2001

'''Zagłębie Lubin'''
*Ekstraklasa third place: [[2005–06 Ekstraklasa|2005–06]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Historia Klubu|url=http://www.zaglebie-lubin.pl/historia-klubu|publisher=zaglebie-lubin.pl|access-date=2 July 2013|archive-date=17 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117205249/http://www.zaglebie-lubin.pl/historia-klubu|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Polish Cup]] runner-up: [[2005–06 Ekstraklasa|2005–06]]

'''Lech Poznań'''
*Ekstraklasa third place: [[2008–09 Ekstraklasa|2008–09]]<ref name=LechMM>{{cite web|title=Smuda oficjalnie żegna się z Lechem|url=http://www.mmpoznan.pl/311241/2009/5/30/smuda-oficjalnie-zegna-sie-z-lechem?category=sport|publisher=mmpoznan.pl|access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref>
*Polish Cup: [[2008–09 Ekstraklasa|2008–09]]<ref name=LechMM/>

'''Wieczysta Kraków'''
* [[IV liga Lesser Poland|IV liga Lesser Poland West]]: 2021–22<ref>{{cite web |title=Keeza IV liga 2021/2022, grupa: małopolska (zachód) |url=http://www.90minut.pl/liga/1/liga11832.html |website=90minut.pl |access-date=9 May 2024 |language=pl}}</ref>
* Polish Cup (Lesser Poland regionals): 2021–22<ref>{{cite web |title=Puchar Polski 2021/2022, grupa: Małopolski ZPN |url=http://www.90minut.pl/liga/1/liga12306.html |website=90minut.pl |access-date=9 June 2024 |language=pl}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
* [[Piłka Nożna magazine plebiscite|Polish Coach of the Year]]: 1996, 1997, 1999, 2008<ref>{{cite web |title=Laureaci |url=https://pilkanozna.pl/laureaci/ |website=pilkanozna.pl |access-date=21 June 2024 |language=pl}}</ref>
* [[Ekstraklasa]] Hall of Fame: 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=Gala Ekstraklasy 2022. Znamy zwycięzców we wszystkich kategoriach! |url=https://pzpn.pl/federacja/aktualnosci/2022-05-23/gala-ekstraklasy-2022-znamy-zwyciezcow-we-wszystkich-kategoriach |publisher=[[Polish Football Association]] |access-date=26 May 2025 |language=pl |date=23 May 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.nasljerseys.com/Players/S/Smuda.Franz.htm NASL stats]
* [http://www.mackolik.com/Antrenor/1819/Franciszek-Smuda Franciszek Smuda] at mackolik.com
*{{sports links}}

{{Polish Coach of the Year}}
{{Poland squad UEFA Euro 2012}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Franciszek Smuda – Managerial positions
|list1=
{{Altay S.K. managers}}
{{Konyaspor managers}}
{{Widzew Łódź managers}}
{{Wisła Kraków managers}}
{{Legia Warszawa managers}}
{{AC Omonia managers}}
{{Lech Poznań managers}}
{{Poland national football team managers}}
{{SSV Jahn Regensburg managers}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smuda, Franciszek}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Wodzisław County]]
[[Category:Footballers from Silesian Voivodeship]]
[[Category:Polish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Odra Wodzisław Śląski players]]
[[Category:Ruch Chorzów players]]
[[Category:Stal Mielec players]]
[[Category:Piast Gliwice players]]
[[Category:Garfield Vistula players]]
[[Category:Connecticut Bicentennials players]]
[[Category:Legia Warsaw players]]
[[Category:Los Angeles Aztecs players]]
[[Category:Oakland Stompers players]]
[[Category:San Jose Earthquakes (1974–1988) players]]
[[Category:SpVgg Greuther Fürth players]]
[[Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) players]]
[[Category:Polish football managers]]
[[Category:Altay S.K. managers]]
[[Category:Konyaspor managers]]
[[Category:Stal Mielec managers]]
[[Category:Widzew Łódź managers]]
[[Category:Wisła Kraków managers]]
[[Category:Legia Warsaw managers]]
[[Category:AC Omonia managers]]
[[Category:Odra Wodzisław Śląski managers]]
[[Category:Zagłębie Lubin managers]]
[[Category:Lech Poznań managers]]
[[Category:SSV Jahn Regensburg managers]]
[[Category:GKS Górnik Łęczna managers]]
[[Category:Wieczysta Kraków managers]]
[[Category:Poland national football team managers]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2012 managers]]
[[Category:Ekstraklasa managers]]
[[Category:I liga managers]]
[[Category:II liga managers]]
[[Category:Süper Lig managers]]
[[Category:2. Bundesliga managers]]
[[Category:Polish expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Polish expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Polish expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:Polish expatriate sportspeople in Germany]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Germany]]
[[Category:Polish expatriate sportspeople in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Polish expatriate sportspeople in Turkey]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Turkey]]
[[Category:20th-century Polish sportsmen]]