Kibu Vicuña, a Spanish coach well known for his work in Polish football, remains a familiar name to Ekstraklasa fans after spells with clubs such as Legia Warsaw, Wisła Płock and ŁKS Łódź, as well as his long-time collaboration with Jan Urban.

Currently continuing his coaching career in India, Vicuña is still closely following developments in Polish football and keeps a keen eye on the ever-evolving Ekstraklasa. In an exclusive interview for beIN Sports USA, conducted by Daniel Sobis, he shares his insights on the league’s surprising season, its growing competitiveness, and the direction Polish football is heading.

Parity and surprises define the Ekstraklasa season

Do you still regularly follow the Ekstraklasa, and what is your overall impression of this rather unusual season?

Yes, I still follow the Ekstraklasa, and I can see that there is a very high level of parity between teams. We are witnessing situations that didn’t occur in the past—for example, seeing Legia Warsaw near the bottom of the table, while teams like Wisła Plock are at the top. There are clubs that are clearly developing, and the overall balance in the league is evident. Budgets are increasing, the quality of players is improving, and this results in greater competitiveness and makes the league more attractive than before.

Why this season feels different in Poland

What makes you consider this season “unusual” compared to previous ones in Poland?

What feels unusual is exactly what I mentioned: seeing historic clubs like Legia Warsaw or Widzew struggling near the bottom, while teams such as Zagłębie Lubin or Wisła Płock are at the top. However, this unpredictability actually makes the league more attractive and highly competitive. It also shows that football in Poland is steadily progressing—even if the growth is gradual, it is clearly moving forward.

Legia Warsaw: instability and missed decisions

How do you assess the current situation of Legia Warsaw, and what do you think they are lacking to return to their usual level?

I believe it’s a combination of factors. I remember during my time as an assistant coach with Jan Urban, we gave many opportunities to young players. At the same time, we had foreign players who made a real difference. Today, as I mentioned, budgets have become more balanced, and football is more global, making it easier for other clubs—not just Legia or Lech—to attract quality foreign players.

Additionally, Legia has experienced instability in recent years, particularly regarding coaching changes and differing playing styles. There may also have been some missteps in recruitment, with signings not having the same impact as before. So overall, it’s a mix of stronger competition and Legia not making the right decisions.

Wisła Płock and Zagłębie Lubin: standout teams

Have you been surprised by Wisła Płock’s performances this season? What stands out about their style of play?

The results may be surprising, but the team’s performances are not. Under coach Misiura, now in his second season, the team is very well organized and plays good football. They have delivered two excellent seasons. I’m genuinely happy for them, as I have very good memories of my time in Poland, and it’s great to see them doing so well.

Do you think Zagłębie Lubin is the biggest surprise of the season, or has another team impressed you more?

With Leszek Ojrzyński, teams are always very competitive. He is a great motivator and a coach who gets the maximum out of his players. His teams consistently achieve results. Zagłębie Lubin also benefits from a strong academy and a squad that blends experienced players with young talent. They are having a very good season, and I wish them all the best, especially as I worked there for a season with Jan Urban.

Tactical evolution and European competitiveness

From your experience in Polish football, what has changed in the Ekstraklasa in recent years from a tactical or competitive perspective?

I think the overall level of the league has increased. Perhaps Legia’s level hasn’t improved as much, but the rest of the teams have raised their standards, making the competition more balanced. Polish teams are also performing better in European competitions, particularly in the Conference League, which suits the characteristics of Polish football. While Polish clubs may not yet be ready to go far in the Champions League or Europa League, they can certainly compete well in the Conference League.

There is now more variety in playing styles, although a traditional Polish approach still exists—very physical and based on pressing. I believe there is still room for more offensive creativity, but with the growing globalization of players and coaches, this evolution is already underway.

Lech Poznań and title race outlook

What is your opinion on Lech Poznań this season? Do you see them as strong title contenders?

I think Lech Poznań has been improving as the season progresses. They have a very strong squad and have performed well in European competitions. I believe they will finish the season strongly. In my opinion, they are a serious contender for the league title. They have been consistent in recent years and will certainly finish among the top teams.

Memories in Poland and future possibilities

Looking back, what memories do you have from your time working in Poland, and how did it shape you as a coach?

I have very fond memories of my time in Poland, and I’m extremely grateful—to the country, to Polish football, and especially to Jan Urban. Without him, I probably wouldn’t have made it into professional football. He gave me the opportunity to work as his assistant at clubs like Legia Warsaw, Zagłębie Lubin, Lech Poznań, and Śląsk Wrocław. I will always be thankful for that.

I believe Polish football is progressing, although perhaps not as quickly as I once expected. It still tends to be quite one-dimensional—very focused on pressing and physicality. However, there are teams like Jagiellonia or Wisła Płock that show a very good understanding of possession-based football, as well as matches involving Lech Poznań. Overall, Polish football is on the rise. It is also becoming increasingly attractive to foreign players, and youth development is improving, as seen in the growing success of Poland’s U21, U19, and U17 national teams in European competitions.

Future in Polish football

Would you like to return to the Ekstraklasa in the future if an interesting opportunity arises?

In football, you can never say never—especially when it comes to returning to Poland. However, at the moment, I am fully focused on Indian football. I am very happy here and involved in an exciting project. As coaches often say, you know where you are in the morning, but you never know where you’ll be in the afternoon.

Since leaving ŁKS Łódź, I have had contacts and even offers from Polish clubs, but I chose to stay in India. Right now, my focus is on Asian football. That said, given the unpredictable nature of a coaching career and the continued development of Polish football, you never know what the future may bring. In any case, I wish Poland and Polish football continued success and hope it keeps growing year after year.

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