In a significant move within Polish football, Przemysław Cecherz has been appointed as the new head coach of Wieczysta Kraków, returning to the club after nearly four years. The announcement was made on Thursday, May 1, 2025, following the dismissal of Sławomir Peszko, who was let go on April 17, 2025, due to the team's disappointing performance.
Cecherz, 52, is no stranger to Wieczysta, having previously managed the club from July 2019 until June 2021. During his first tenure, he led the team from the district league to the IV league, achieving promotion in the 2020 season. However, his departure was shrouded in controversy, reportedly linked to an interview that displeased the club's management.
After leaving Wieczysta, Cecherz had stints with several clubs, including KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, Cartusia Kartuzy, Warta Sieradz, and Vineta Wolin. Most recently, he was at the helm of Star Starachowice, where he guided the team to a solid performance in the III liga, achieving an average of 1.81 points per match over 37 games.
Despite his success at Star Starachowice, Cecherz's latest match with the club was a 4-1 victory against Lewart Lubartów on April 30, 2025. Following this win, he officially parted ways with the team to take on the challenge at Wieczysta, which is currently fighting for promotion to the first league.
Upon his return, Cecherz expressed enthusiasm about leading Wieczysta again, stating, "There are clubs you don't refuse, and Wieczysta is definitely one of them." His primary objective will be to secure a top-two finish in the Betclic 2 liga, which would grant the team direct promotion to the PKO BP Ekstraklasa.
Wieczysta is currently in a precarious position, sitting third in the league table with 58 points, just three points behind second-placed Polonia Bytom and seven points behind the leaders, Pogoń Grodzisk Mazowiecki. The team has struggled recently, dropping points in crucial matches against lower-ranked teams such as Hutnik Kraków and Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała.
The upcoming schedule is critical for Wieczysta, with matches against Wisła Puławy on May 3, Polonia Bytom on May 11, and Chojniczanka Chojnice on May 18. With only six rounds left in the season, the pressure is on Cecherz to turn the team's fortunes around and secure a place in the top two.
In the wake of Cecherz's appointment, there were various candidates considered for the head coach position, including Kazimierz Moskal, Jan Urban, Piotr Stokowiec, and Gino Lettieri. While advanced talks were held with Stokowiec and Lettieri, no agreement was reached, leading to Cecherz's swift hiring as the club sought to avoid further delays amid a crisis.
Cecherz's return to Wieczysta marks a pivotal moment for both the coach and the club. With his previous experience and knowledge of the team's dynamics, fans are hopeful that he can replicate the success he had during his first spell. The club's management is optimistic that under his leadership, Wieczysta can reclaim its position as a contender for promotion.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Cecherz to see if he can inspire the team to finish strong and achieve their goal of ascending to the first league. The stakes are high, and the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the future of Wieczysta Kraków in Polish football.
