Janas accepts Pole position

Klejdinst to assist
The chairman of the Polish Football Federation (PZPN), Michal Listkiewicz, announced the appointment at a Warsaw hotel today. Janas's assistant will be Edward Klejdinst, who will combine the role with his duties as coach of the Polish Olympic team. Janas had first been linked with the national team job in 2000 but was unable to accept and the position instead went to Boniek's predecessor Jerzy Engel.

Team spirit desired

The players must be fully committed to the national team

European reputation
Until now, 49-year-old Janas had been sports director of Ekstraklasa team KS Amica Wronki. Prior to this, his biggest success as a coach came in the 1995/96 season when he led Legia Warszawa to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Busy career
His first head coaching position came in January 1994, when he took over at Legia. He helped the club to the Polish title twice. He also had spells in charge of the Olympic team and national team before linking up with Amica in 2000. He spent two months as temporary coach of Amica last year, before returning to his position as sports director.

Playing days
As a player, Janas began with hometown team Wlokniarz Pabianice in 1965 and represented them until 1973. He then played for Widzew Lódz until 1977 before joining Legia for four seasons. In 1982 he moved to AJ Auxerre, where he was voted France's top foreign player during the 1986 season. He returned to Legia the same year before retiring in 1988.

Polish pride
He won 53 caps for Poland, scoring once, after making his debut against Argentina in March 1976. He was part of the Polish team that finished in third place at the 1982 FIFA World Cup.