Lech Poznań Football Club is stepping boldly toward the future as it plans to honor legendary player Teodor Anioła, whose legacy remains etched deeply within the club's history. Born on November 4, 1925, Anioła joined Lech Poznań on June 1, 1945, forging a path of excellence until his retirement in 1961. His contributions were monumental, leading the team to its first-ever medals—the bronze medals at the Polish championships in 1949 and 1950. Known as "Diabeł" and wearing the number 8 jersey, he was also the league's top scorer, garnering acclaim during his remarkable career.
Following his passing on July 10, 1993, Lech Poznań has decided to commemorate Anioła's centenary by declaring 2025 as the year of Teodor Anioła. "We want his memory to be passed down from generation to generation," said Maciej Henszel, spokesperson for the club, emphasizing the significance of this tribute.
Part of honoring this legacy involves establishing the "Lech Future" training program, launching on January 1, 2025. This initiative aims to nurture children and youth aged two to fifteen, establishing a strong foundation for future players. "We want to honor him properly; this is the perfect opportunity as we commemorate his 100th birthday this November," added Henszel.
Meanwhile, as the club gears up for the upcoming season, players are returning from one of their longest breaks yet—27 days. With training set to resume on January 3, 2025, Lech Poznań has much to address as they prepare for the spring round of the 2024/2025 season.
The team had concluded the previous autumn season on November 23, finishing their league matches earlier than in years past. Players utilized their breaks to recharge, with some jetting off to various destinations for leisure. For example, Antonio Milić traveled to Slovenia; Joel Pereira took his family to Disneyland; and Filip Szymczak found himself on the beaches, where he proposed to his girlfriend.
Despite the extended break, head coach Niels Frederiksen has set specific training goals for his squad. After the initial training period, the team will head to Turkey for their winter training camp from January 6 to January 17, 2025, this time opting for Lara instead of Belek as their training base. They will play three friendlies during this trip, with matches lined up against Dinamo Zagreb on January 12, Botev Plovdiv on January 16, and Cukaricki Belgrade also on January 16.
Lech Poznań's winter preparation draws attention to both new strategies and player dynamics. The future of young forward Filip Szymczak seems particularly uncertain as reports suggest he could be loaned out to another Ekstraklasa club this winter. Despite being seen as one of the promising talents, Szymczak's recent performances have fallen short of expectations, with only two goals to his name and struggling to secure his position amid fierce competition within the squad.
Still, there are rumors swirling around his potential future, with Korona Kielce expressing interest. Given their current standing and need for attacking talent—having the league's worst scoring record—Szymczak could find himself fighting for valuable playing time if he makes the transition.
All these developments form part of Lech Poznań's larger game plan as they seek to balance the honoring of their past with the nurturing of future talent, ensuring they remain competitive. Players will also engage with the club’s management to discuss their long-term involvement with the team following this forthcoming loan period.
Within this agenda, the winter preparation plan also calls for another closed-door friendly match against FC Nordsjaelland on January 25, 2025, before facing Widzew Łódź to kick off the spring season.
By continuing to build on the legacy of players like Anioła and establishing programs for young athletes, Lech Poznań positions itself not only as a club with rich history but also one focused on the future. The blend of honoring the past and preparing for what's to come exemplifies their identity as one of Poland's prominent football institutions.