Jacek Gmoch

Jacek Wojciech Gmoch (born 13 January 1939 in Pruszków) is a Polish former professional footballer, manager, and commentator. As a player he spent the majority of his career playing for Legia Warsaw as a defender, and represented Poland 29 times internationally. After a career-ending injury he became a successful trainer, winning multiple titles in Poland, Greece, and Cyprus, while also managing the Poland National Team. While having a successful football career at Legia, he simultaneously graduated in communication from the Warsaw University of Technology. Gmoch began his career playing for his local childhood club Znicz Pruszków in 1953. After an impressive spell he earned a move to Legia Warsaw, where he went on to have a successful career playing over 300 games. With Legia, he won the Polish Cup twice (in 1964 and 1966) and contributed to the beginning of the successful Championship winning 1968–69 season. He also became a regular player for the National Team of Poland during this period (29 caps). Following a major injury in a friendly match, Gmoch began his coaching career, starting as assistant manager for Legia Warsaw between 1969 and 1971, achieving another Polish Championship in 1969-70, and reaching the semi-final of the European Champion Clubs’ Cup in the same season. While, in 1970-71 Legia finished runner’s up of Poland, and reached the quarter-finals of the European Champions Clubs’ Cup losing to Atlético Madrid. Shortly thereafter he was offered the Poland National Team assistant's job by Kazimierz Górski, lasting from 1971 to 1974. Together they achieved an Olympic Gold medal in Munich 1972, as well as third place in the 1974 World Cup, which to this day are considered to be Poland’s greatest football achievements. After the World Cup in 1974 he left the National team and moved to the U.S. to pursue his...