Cezary Kulesza has been re-elected as president of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), winning a second term after a mere formality. With no other candidates and after no votes of no confidence were put forward, Kulesza received 98 votes in favour, 7 against and 11 inhabitants from 116 eligible delegates from all clubs, coaches, referees, and branches of the sport.
1 day Ago By Iwo Mazur
Kulesza, a former president of Jagiellonia Białystok, was first elected in August 2021 as successor of former player Zbigniew Boniek. Kulesza thanked everyone after the vote, "I will continue to help everyone, I will serve Polish football. Thank you for your trust," reaffirming his commitment to the future of Poland football.
No competition, mixed reviews
His re-election was expected, as no other candidates materialised — a consequence, in part, of the PZPN's close internal game. Critics — and legal process during his first term — have not deterred Kulesza.
Supporters point to several successes under his leadership: the Polish men's national team made the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2024, and the women's team played in the Euros for the first time. The 2025 UEFA Conference League Final was also held in Wrocław.
Controversies and coaching instability
His detractors point out that Kulesza has not been very good at picking national team head coaches. He is now ready to hire his fourth manager in four years after a series of brief and tumultuous tenures. Last month, the highest-paid coach in Poland's history, Fernando Santos, was fired after only nine months in charge.
The time was also marked by tensions between former coach Michał Probierz and then captain Robert Lewandowski (ended with Probierz leaving) and the coach's resignation. A new coach is expected to be named in the near future.
Per PZPN regulations, Kulesza is ineligible to run for a third term, so this will be his last as president. He will remain in office until 2029.
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