Michał Jania, director of the Wisła Kraków Academy

Michał Jania, who has been with the club for many years, first as a player and then as a coach for various age groups, is taking over the reins of the Wisła Kraków Football Academy. From now on, he will oversee the entire department responsible for training young footballers.

Michał Jania began his football career at the age of 9 in the Wisła Kraków Football Academy, progressing through all levels of the Academy until his first-team debut in the Ekstraklasa Cup against Śląsk Wrocław in 2008. He spent 12 years with the White Star as a player, gaining valuable experience at various levels. He and his teammates won the Young Ekstraklasa Championship in 2008 and the Young Ekstraklasa Runner-up in 2009. His on-field performance earned him call-ups to youth national teams, including the Polish U-18 squad.

Immediately after hanging up his boots, he began his coaching education. He took his first steps in this field at the Staniątki Football School, coaching youth groups. He combined this work with his work at Coerver Coaching Polska. Then, in 2014, he joined the Wisła Kraków Football Academy, where he continues to coach youth teams. The last team he led as head coach was the CLJ U-15 team, with which he finished third in Poland in 2021. Following this success, he took on the position of Youth Sports Coordinator at the Wisła Kraków Academy. Initially, he was responsible for the U10–U13 age groups, then for the U16–U13 age groups and all the Academy teams based in Kraków. He remained actively involved in the Academy's athletic development and the optimization of training processes.

Throughout his coaching career, he has had the opportunity to gain practical knowledge and participate in study trips and internships abroad with leading European academies and clubs. These include Rapid Vienna, Dynamo Kyiv (twice), Shakhtar Donetsk, Lech Poznań, Sporting Lisbon, Sevilla FC, Borussia Dortmund, and the Polish U-15 National Team.

Education and professional qualifications:

- Master of Physical Education with a teaching specialization;
- Bachelor's degree in Sports;
- Sports Manager Diploma;
- Postgraduate studies in football game analysis;
- Postgraduate studies in organization and management in education;
- Currently a member of the Training Department at the Małopolska Football Association, coordinator of the educational project for coaches "Training Mondays" at the Małopolska Football Association.

Specialized coaching education: - UEFA A License (2016);
- UEFA A Elite Youth License (2018) – specialization in youth training at the highest level;
- Currently a participant in the 3rd edition of the Football Academy Director course organized by the Polish Football Association.

Good luck in your new role!