1. Overview
Stefan Majewski, born on January 31, 1956, is a distinguished Polish professional football manager and former player. His career trajectory spans notable periods as a central defender for various clubs and the Poland national football team, followed by a transition into coaching. Most recently, he served as the sporting director for Ekstraklasa club Cracovia.
2. Early Life and Background
Stefan Majewski was born on January 31, 1956, in Bydgoszcz, which is located in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland.
3. Playing Career
Stefan Majewski had a prominent playing career, active at both the club and international levels, primarily as a defender.
3.1. Club Career
Throughout his club career, Majewski played for several notable teams. He began his senior career in his hometown, featuring for clubs such as Gwiazda Bydgoszcz and Zawisza Bydgoszcz. His career then took him to one of Poland's most successful clubs, Legia Warsaw, where he achieved significant domestic success. Later in his career, Majewski ventured abroad, playing in West Germany for 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Arminia Bielefeld. He also had a stint with Apollon Limassol in Cyprus.
3.2. International Career
Majewski was a key member of the Poland national football team, earning 40 caps and scoring four goals. He represented Poland in two FIFA World Cup tournaments. He was a participant in the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, where Poland achieved a notable third-place finish. He also played for the national team at the 1986 FIFA World Cup held in Mexico.
4. Managerial Career
Following his retirement as a player, Stefan Majewski transitioned into a coaching career, managing several clubs and briefly serving as an interim manager for the Poland national team. He coached Widzew Łódź from 2004 to 2006. From October 2, 2006, to October 27, 2008, he held the coaching position at Cracovia. On September 18, 2009, Majewski took on the role of interim caretaker coach for the Poland national football team after the dismissal of his predecessor, Leo Beenhakker. His debut match as head coach saw Poland lose 0-2 to the Czech Republic in a 2010 World Cup qualifier match. His interim tenure concluded on October 29, 2009, when Franciszek Smuda was appointed as the full-time coach of the national team.
5. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | 1978 | 4 | 1 |
| 1979 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1980 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1981 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1982 | 10 | 1 | |
| 1983 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1985 | 0 | 0 | |
| 1986 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 40 | 4 | |
6. Honours
Stefan Majewski achieved several significant honours during both his playing and managerial careers.
6.1. As a Player
During his playing career, Majewski secured two major domestic trophies with Legia Warsaw:
- Polish Cup: 1979-80, 1980-81
Internationally, he contributed to a historic achievement for the Poland national team:
- FIFA World Cup third place: 1982
6.2. As a Manager
As a manager, Majewski led Amica Wronki to several titles:
- Polish Cup: 1998-99, 1999-2000
- Polish Super Cup: 1999