Antoni Krzysztof Piechniczek (born 3 May 1942) is a Polish former professional football manager and player. From 2007 to 2011 he was a senator.
Playing career Piechniczek was born in Chorzów. He played for clubs such as Naprzód Lipiny, Legia Warsaw, Ruch Chorzów and LB Châteauroux. He was also capped thrice for the Poland national team.
Managerial career As a manager, he has led teams such as Ruch Chorzów, Górnik Zabrze, Al Rayyan (Qatar) or Espérance Tunis (Tunisia).
He is well known for managing the Poland national team. He coached Poland from 1981 to 1986 and from 1996 to 1997. He led the national team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, where Poland won the bronze medal, and at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
He coached also the Tunisia and United Arab Emirates national teams.
Political career In the 2002 local election Piechniczek was elected to the Silesian Regional Assembly II Term and was one of the three Vice-Chairpersons of the assembly. In 2006 he was re-elected, but his term (Assembly III Term) was ended after one year. In 2007, Piechniczek was elected to the Senate of the Republic of Poland (upper chamber of Polish parliament) and served in his role until 2011.
Honours Player Legia Warsaw Polish Cup: 1963–64
Ruch Chorzów Ekstraklasa: 1967–68
Manager Odra Opole Polish League Cup: 1977
Poland FIFA World Cup third place: 1982
Górnik Zabrze Ekstraklasa: 1986–87
Individual Polish Coach of the Year: 1978
Orders Order of Polonia Restituta Officer's Cross: 1999 Order of Polonia Restituta Knight's Cross: 1982
See also National team managers with 100 or more matches
References