GKS Tychy has recently reignited hope among its supporters with impressive performances during the latter part of the autumn round. Under the leadership of coach Artur Skowronek, the team has managed to hold on to their good form during the winter break, marking them as the only team to emerge from the spring season without losing any points.
At the beginning of the 2024/2025 season, GKS Tychy was touted as one of the frontrunners for promotion. After thriving during the previous season's autumn round, fans began dreaming of returning to the PKO BP Ekstraklasa. Unfortunately, the subsequent spring proved disappointing, and the team finished the season ranked 9th, unable to even qualify for the playoffs. The disappointing end forced the team to adopt new strategies, focusing on avoiding relegation rather than aiming for promotion.
The current campaign kicked off with Dariusz Banasik at the helm as the head coach. He only managed the team for seven matches, which resulted in one loss and five draws, accumulating just eight points. Due to the lack of victories, Banasik was dismissed, and alongside him, his assistants Michal Farkaš and Bernard Kapuściński also departed. On August 27, 2024, the announcement was made via the official GKS Tychy social media, showcasing their intention to take the club's direction more seriously.
Artur Skowronek took charge next, but his appointment was met with skepticism from fans due to his previous year-and-a-half absence from coaching. His initial eleven games were marked by disappointment, recording no wins and suffering from high-profile defeats, such as the 1-5 loss to Rzeszów and elimination from the Polish Cup by the second-division Olimpia Grudziądz. The team's management showed patience, which is often rare within Polish football where quick turnover is common.
After this dreadful stretch, GKS Tychy experienced its much-needed turning point. They secured their first victory under Skowronek's management with a 3-1 win against Miedź Legnica, shocking many who had little faith left. A week later, GKS faced Kołobrzeg at home and triumphed impressively, netting four goals and keeping a clean sheet, satisfying fans and rekindling hope for the team’s future.
Traditionally, winter breaks have the propensity to shake team dynamics, yet GKS was determined to carry their recent positive momentum forward. Club officials decided to forgo external training camps, which proved to be financially imprudent. Instead, they opted for local training, saving approximately 250,000 zlotys—especially important following the previous season's financial losses totaling six million zlotys.
Their performance upon resuming league play was promising; their inaugural victory came against Warta Grodzisk Wielkopolski, where they capitalized on their scoring opportunities against what turned out to be misfired outings by their rivals.
Their following match against Chrobry Głogów exhibited resilience, as the team won 3-1, even when reduced to ten men after the early expulsion of defender Jakub Budnicki. Notable contributions came from Natan Dzięgielewski, who showcased his talents by scoring both goals against Chrobry. His first was from a header following a corner kick, and the second, hailed as brilliant, showcased his abilities as he dribbled from the midway line to score superbly.
Currently, GKS Tychy stands with eight consecutive matches without defeat, and their four-win streak shows them as strong contenders as the season progresses. If one were to recalibrate league standings based solely on the last five matches, they would lead with 13 points. Occupying the 12th position overall, they hold 26 points after 21 rounds, with just seven points separating them from the sixth-placed Wisła Kraków, prompting hopes for playoff contention among fans.
Coach Skowronek's experimental approach of promoting players from lower divisions and focusing on nurturing young talent has started to yield positive results. Players like goalkeeper Marcel Łubik, who has even donned the captain’s armband, are stepping up and demonstrating potential. This revitalized synergy between the coaching staff and players showcases GKS Tychy’s promise of returning to the top tier soon if they maintain their current momentum.
Fans and players alike eagerly anticipate their next challenge against Odra Opole, scheduled for March 1 at 17:00, to push for more success and possibly secure their desired playoff spot. The historical match-up marks another opportunity for the team to shine and demonstrate the fruits of their labor.
With supportive encouragement from the community and strong performances on the field, GKS Tychy seems on track for possible promotion, making this season increasingly exciting for players and fans alike. The hopefulness surrounding the club’s aspirations signifies their determination to leverage past disappointments as stepping stones toward success. A bright new chapter seems to await them.