Korona Kielce sporting director Paweł Golański has closed the door on signing Ukrainian forward Bogdan Viunnyk after the player publicly stated that he was waiting for an offer from rival Ekstraklasa club Legia Warsaw.
Golański explained that the transfer would not take place because signing a player who openly expresses a preference for another club would be unethical toward Korona fans and damage the identity of the team. He added that while Viunnyk is a versatile footballer capable of operating in two or three positions, Korona Kielce only wants players who are fully committed to representing the club.
The decision highlights a major shift in philosophy at the Polish club, where increased financial backing from private owner Łukasz Maciejczyk has transformed recruitment capabilities and ambitions for the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship side.
Financial backing and ownership strategy
Golański returned to Korona Kielce for his second stint as sporting director after two years away, having previously guided the team through a tighter financial era. He stated that the primary difference in his current tenure is the ability to engage in substantial cash transfers rather than relying solely on free agents or avoiding transfer fees.
Club owner Łukasz Maciejczyk has provided significant funding aimed at bringing in high-quality players capable of delivering sporting success and potential resale value. Golański noted that while he prepares squad target lists and evaluates technical profiles, final approval on all expenditure rests with Maciejczyk, who discusses tactics and recruitment daily alongside his two sons.
Addressing comparisons between Maciejczyk and Motor Lublin owner Zbigniew Jakubas, Golański observed that both figures demonstrate intense emotional investment during matches, though each operates with a unique personality and management style.
Summer transfer activity and squad additions
Korona Kielce completed several prominent signings during the summer transfer window, demonstrating a willingness to compete directly with other Polish clubs for top talent. Among the key arrivals is midfielder Patrik Hellebrand, who joined from Górnik Zabrze after Korona paid his contract release clause, reported by Transfermarkt at 1.7 million euros.
Golański revealed that Hellebrand had been on his target list during his first term as sporting director after starring in a friendly match, though financial constraints prevented a move at the time. The successful deal was completed in smooth cooperation with Górnik Zabrze officials Łukasz Milik and Lukas Podolski.
The club also secured promising midfielder Kamil Jakubczyk in anticipation of future squad changes, alongside defender Ariel Mosór, who chose Korona despite competing offers from multiple teams. Additional summer additions include Morgan Fassbender and Norbert Barczak, as well as past target Jacques Ndiaye, whom Golański had previously sought before Ndiaye joined Motor Lublin.
Golański emphasized that summer recruitment focused heavily on players with proven Ekstraklasa experience to minimize adaptation risks, though the club remains active in international markets. Korona is currently in negotiations to sign a highly recognizable player from a foreign league outside Ekstraklasa within established budgetary parameters.
Player exits and European ambitions
The club also managed high-profile player departures, selling midfielder Tamar Svetlin to French outfit Saint-Etienne for a fee exceeding the 2.5 million euros cited by Transfermarkt. Polish side Lech Poznań made competing offers through sporting director Tomek Rząsa, but their proposal fell significantly short of Saint-Etienne's valuation and was rejected by Korona ownership.
Svetlin expressed gratitude to Golański, Maciejczyk, and club president Leszek Czarny for holding firm during negotiations, which allowed him to secure his desired move to France. Golański drew on his own playing experience to understand Svetlin's situation, recalling how he once received contract offers from FC Porto and Napoli that were blocked by his club owner.
Korona also navigated the departure of defender Pau Resta, who requested a transfer to change environments and subsequently signed for GKS Katowice. Rather than risking losing Resta on a free transfer a year later, Golański executed a pre-arranged plan with head coach Jacek Zieliński and owner Maciejczyk to replace him with Mosór.
Golański declared that qualifying for European competition within the next two to three seasons remains the ultimate goal for Korona Kielce, noting that European football is the primary magnet to attract elite players to Poland.
Dressing room culture and national team candidates
Beyond financial growth, Golański stressed the importance of maintaining team unity and fostering a strong bond with supporters in Kielce, where stadium attendance continues to rise. While acknowledging the heritage of Korona's famous Gang of Freaks squad from 15 years ago, he noted that modern players must maintain core values of passion and total commitment on the pitch.
Spanish midfielder Nono was singled out as a central figure in the dressing room who demonstrated his deep connection to the club by becoming tearful upon signing a contract extension. Other key leaders identified by Golański include Mariusz Stępiński, Ariel Mosór, Marcel Pięczek, and Wiktor Długosz.
With Poland national team manager Jan Urban evaluating league talent, Golański believes several Korona players could earn international call-ups in the near future. He highlighted Jakubczyk, Mosór, and injured winger Dawid Błanik as potential national team candidates, following previous interest from former manager Michał Probierz in Miłosz Trojak.
Golański gave special praise to 26-year-old Długosz, describing his running capacity and physical engine as extraordinary. He also commended Zagłębie Lubin youngster Marcel Reguła for making a mature decision to remain in Ekstraklasa to hone his language skills and game before pursuing a move abroad.
Management stability and personal loss
Golański reiterated full support for head coach Jacek Zieliński, dismissing online speculation regarding potential managerial changes at the end of last season as baseless internet rumors. The club restructured its backroom staff ahead of the campaign to foster a productive working environment.
The sporting director spoke candidly about recent personal tragedy, having lost his father following a seven-month battle with illness just days before Korona's first victory of the season, a 2-1 win against Widzew Łódź.
Golański recalled that his father originally introduced him to football by taking him to support ŁKS Łódź, making matches against cross-town rivals Widzew particularly meaningful. He promised his father on his deathbed that Korona would win at Widzew, a promise fulfilled shortly before the funeral, which was attended by Maciejczyk, Czarny, and Zieliński.
Reflecting on historical parallels, Golański referenced former Korona manager Leszek Ojrzyński, whose father passed away shortly after Korona reached the top of Ekstraklasa following a match against Śląsk Wrocław.
Looking back at his career, Golański considered winning promotion to Ekstraklasa on a modest budget to be his proudest achievement as Korona sporting director. During his playing days, Golański earned 14 caps for Poland, most notably shutting down Portugal stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Simao Sabrosa alongside teammate Grzegorz Bronowicki in his fourth international match at age 24.
