“AI is the future of soccer,” says Jarosław Królewski in an exclusive interview with beIN SPORTS. The owner of Wisła Kraków, the second most successful club in Polish Ekstraklasa history, is also a programmer, entrepreneur, and founder of Synerise, a leading company in artificial intelligence and data analytics.

Wisła Kraków, 14-time Polish champions and one of the most decorated clubs in Polish football, is dominating the start of the season. In their first six matches, the “White Star” has taken all 18 points, scoring 28 goals and conceding just 5 — an astonishing average of 4.67 goals per game. But these results haven’t happened in the Ekstraklasa. The once-mighty club is now in its fourth consecutive season in Poland’s second division, having been relegated due to financial turmoil and mismanagement by individuals linked to the criminal underworld. Despite playing in the lower tier, Wisła has recently won the Polish Cup and competed in European Cups qualifications. Now, however, the club is entering a season that could finally mark its return to glory.

🧠 Królewski: “Mentality and Innovation Are Wisła Kraków’s Strongest Assets”

“Nothing really special has changed. We’re doing the same things we’ve been doing for years. After last season, I felt that people around the club — players, staff, even fans — needed more courage and boldness. So as president, I wanted to set that example and bring that energy myself. We’ve been following a clear path we defined three years ago, and we’ve never deviated from it. We believe in numbers, in meritocracy, long-term projects, and modern football management instead of chasing short-term fixes. That consistency and belief are now paying off — the results are simply the consequence of this approach,” Królewski tells beIN SPORTS.

“Our strongest asset is mentality. For years, Wisła Kraków was seen as a club with history — but also with problems and doubts. This team has finally broken that mindset. The players believe in themselves, in the club’s direction, and they fight for each other. We don’t rely on a single star or moments of individual brilliance — even with Rodado in the squad. Our strength comes from the group working together. When you add courage, discipline, and the hunger to prove ourselves every game, you get a team that’s not only hard to beat but also thrilling to watch. That shift in mentality is what makes the difference,” he adds.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence in Soccer: How Wisła Kraków Uses AI and Data Analytics

At 39, Jarosław Królewski is not only a soccer executive but also the founder of Synerise, a technology and AI company specializing in big data, analytics, and digital transformation in sports. Based in Poland with a branch in the United States, Synerise reflects Królewski’s engineering background and his pioneering role in integrating advanced IT systems into football management and performance analysis. For years, he has consistently invested in AI development within the club. While the results haven’t always been perfect, he remains convinced that artificial intelligence is the future of football.

“AI in soccer isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a real tool that can transform how clubs operate. We use it to analyze match data, player performance, scouting, and opponent strategies in ways humans simply can’t. It can detect micro-patterns in how opponents defend or attack. It helps with talent identification and scouting earlier and more precisely. It allows coaches to design smarter training sessions. But what matters most to us at Wisła is that we don’t just want to buy tools made by others — we want to build our own, original solutions tailored to our philosophy. That’s what sets us apart: we aim to innovate from within, not just consume technology,” Królewski explains.

🌍 Peter Moore Joins Wisła Kraków’s Vision for Innovation

This summer, Wisła Kraków welcomed Peter Moore as a shareholder. The British-American businessman is the former CEO of Liverpool FC, and has held executive roles at Microsoft and Electronic Arts. His arrival brings credibility and expertise to Królewski’s vision of combining sports, business, and innovation.

“Peter Moore is someone who doesn’t need to prove anything — he’s led some of the world’s biggest companies and one of the most iconic soccer clubs. To get him interested, we didn’t sell dreams or empty promises. We simply showed him that Wisła Kraków is building something serious, sustainable, and ambitious. He saw a project with a clear vision, a club with history and the courage to innovate — and he wanted to be part of it. Peter brings global business experience, a vast network in sports and tech, and a deep understanding of scaling projects beyond local borders. For Wisła, having someone like Peter means credibility and access to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. He also understands the value of creating unique, proprietary solutions — so his role isn’t just about opening doors internationally, but helping us shape Wisła as a club that invents, not just follows,” says Królewski.