Franciszek Smuda has earned the title of a legend of Polish football. During his coaching career, he was a coach of Widzew Łódź, Wisła Kraków and Legia Warsaw. He reached the top in 2009, when he took over the Polish national team, which he was supposed to prepare for Euro 2012.
A touching farewell from Manuel Arboleda. He wrote it directly
The Polish Football Association fulfilled the demands of the Polish national team fans. Just before being hired in the national team, Smuda had a great time at Lech Poznań, which he managed from 2006 to 2009. During his tenure, Lech took 3rd place in the Ekstraklasa and won the Polish Cup. However, this team is best remembered for playing in European cups. In the UEFA Cup of the 2008/09 season, Lech advanced from the group stage.
One of the stars of that team was Manuel Arboleda, whom Smuda had previously trained at Zagłębie Lubin. The Colombian never hid the fact that he had great respect for the former coach. A photo of the former defender with a shirt that read “Thank you Jesus, Poland, Lech Poznań, F. Smuda” has become a part of Ekstraklasa history.
Now Manuel Arboleda has said goodbye to the coach on social media.
“We met on December 6, 2004 and I knew right away that we would be great friends… together we were almost invincible… you always brought out the best in me, not only as a player but also as a person, but unfortunately I couldn't make it to your last match, but I'm calm because when you were still alive I showed you all my love and respect… see you forever my dear old man, rest in peace my friend,” Arboleda wrote on Instagram.
Franciszek Smuda battled blood cancer in the last years of his life. In July, the former coach underwent a bone marrow transplant. Although initially it seemed that everything would be fine, Franciszek Smuda's health quickly deteriorated. The former coach died on August 18.