Łukasz Bortnik appointed as Head of Physical Performance

In recent months, the reigning Polish Champions’ first-team athletic performance staff set-up has been significantly expanded. Michał Włodarczyk and Józef Napierała have joined, supporting coaches Karol Kikut and Antonin Čepka in their daily work. From the outset, however, it was clear that a figure was needed to manage this area, set its direction, as well as monitor and supervise it. The role of Head of Physical Performance was previously held by Brandon Moran, but only within Lech’s Academy. The intention now was to extend these responsibilities across the entire club.

“For several months, we have been working to find the right person for this position. Foreign clubs that compete in the European competitions every year have well-developed performance structures. This primarily concerns physical and athletic preparation and enhancing our players’ performance levels. In the end, we decided to bring on Dr Łukasz Bortnik, who has twenty years of extensive experience in sport. He has signed a contract with us until June 30^th, 2029,” said Lech’s Sporting Director, Tomasz Rząsa.

The new Head of Physical Performance outlined his extensive professional journey. He holds a doctoral degree and has numerous publications in the field of athletic preparation in sport, including work incorporating technical and tactical elements. He therefore possesses an excellent understanding of both physical preparation and football itself.

“I completed my Master’s degree in the United States. Next, I spent a year in Mexico with Club de Fútbol Pachuca, which was an exceptionally interesting experience. Afterwards, I returned to Europe and worked successively at Bełchatów, Cracovia, again at Bełchatów, and Widzew, before moving to Hapoel Be'er Sheva. There, we won three Israeli league titles and reached the group stages of European competitions. I then spent two years at Legia Warsaw, during which we won two Polish Championships. I returned to Hapoel once more and later became involved in a slightly different project. In Prague, Czech Republic, I worked at the Day One training centre, one of whose founders is Bořek Dočkal, a former Czech international and captain of Sparta Prague. The centre is also co-owned by Tomáš Pekhart, well known from the Polish league. This allowed me to observe the work of top-level players from a slightly different perspective,” explained Dr Bortnik.

“In the meantime, I completed my PhD in the United Kingdom at the University of Lancashire. My research focused on intensity in football, specifically the physical demands during transition phases and pressing phases of the game. Now it is time for Lech Poznań - I am joining the blue-and-white family. I am extremely excited to become a part of such a great club with an immense tradition. I hope that, even in some small way, I can help it to develop further and achieve as much success as possible, both domestically and internationally,” added the new Head of Physical Performance.

What will his responsibilities include?

“Structuring the work of those responsible for athletic preparation within our Academy, as well as overseeing this area among our four first-team coaches. We want to unify our approach. Also, importantly, the tasks will include daily co-operation with our science department, as well as with scouting, to define what we expect from incoming players in terms of physical attributes, and also with Rafał Hejna, who heads the medical staff,” listed Rząsa.

The initial period will be devoted to induction and gaining an understanding of the club’s structures and operational mechanisms.

“Will I adapt to the path Lech is currently following, or implement my own ideas? Both. I cannot create something entirely new, because the existing models and processes here are functioning effectively. However, I will certainly aim to optimise them in certain ways and introduce some of my own ideas - but gradually, rather than all at once,” concluded Dr Bortnik.