Football United

Wisla Kraków have appointed a new coach, president and club board to signal their intent to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Engel replaces Liczka
The new man in charge is 52-year-old Jerzy Engel, who coached Poland to the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals and has since been sporting director at Legia Warszawa and KSP Polonia Warszawa. He succeeds Werner Liczka, 50, who in six months at the helm led Wisla to the Polish title, finishing eleven points clear at the top. However, club owner Boguslaw Cupial decided to dismiss the Czech trainer after a 5-1 defeat by Legia and Polish Cup semi-final loss to Zaglebie Lubin.

'Need new players'
Engel, who may lose star striker Maciej Zurawski to a richer foreign side, said after signing a three-year contract: "We need new players to strengthen the team. We are thinking about defending the title and finally getting into the Champions League group stage, but because we don't have much time, it will not be easy."

Kapka takes helm
Meanwhile, former player Zdzislaw Kapka has taken over as club president on a temporary basis following the resignation after seven months in charge of Janusz Basalaj, whose brother Bogdan has stepped down as executive director. Board chairman Hubert Praski is leaving too, with his place being taken by Frenchman Bertrand Le Guern. Ludwig Mieta-Mikolajewicz will become vice-chairman.

Kwiek sale
Wisla have also sold 22-year-old midfielder Aleksander Kwiek to top-flight newcomers Kolporter Korona Kielce for an undisclosed fee. Wisla's Champions League campaign begins in August's third qualifying round.

Source: uefa.com