Tomasz Grzegorczyk is the new head coach of Arka Gdynia. The club announced his return on Friday, 27 September 2026, after less than three months of an unsuccessful partnership with Marek Jarolim.

The new manager has signed a contract valid until the end of the season, 30 June 2027. The deal includes an automatic extension clause in case of promotion to the Ekstraklasa, and an option for renewal should the team remain in the I Liga. The decision to change was made following a series of poor team performances, with the side sitting 12th in the table with 11 points after nine matches.

President Wojciech Pertkiewicz admitted that parting ways with Jarolim was necessary. “There was no progression visible, match by match this team looked weaker and weaker,” said Pertkiewicz. The ten-match period under the previous staff was deemed unsuccessful, and the club decided to cut its losses.

A familiar face returns

For Grzegorczyk, this is a return to familiar surroundings. He already served as interim coach for 14 matches in the 2023/24 season, averaging 2.58 points per game in league competitions. Despite a good run, he was not given the permanent job back then, with the club hiring Dawid Szwarga instead. Now he has the chance to finish the work he started.

The coach himself does not hide his desire to prove that Arka made a mistake by not giving him the chance to finish that season. He stresses, however, that that chapter is closed and he returns to Gdynia as a more experienced manager after working in the Ekstraklasa.

A new football philosophy

Grzegorczyk has already outlined the direction he wants to take the team. He announced that his side will position faster in attack and make better use of space. In defence, he draws inspiration from one of the best. “And for defence, I'm a bit closer to a coach like Jürgen Klopp, 'gegenpressing' and playing forward,” says Arka's new boss. He wants his players to be more active without the ball, focusing on winning it back rather than defending deep. He believes the motor skills potential of the first-team squad will allow for the implementation of these ideas.

The club admits that hiring Jarolim was a risk that did not pay off. The majority shareholder agrees with president Pertkiewicz that it was a mistake. Now everyone at the club is looking to the future with hope, and Grzegorczyk is expected to bring new energy.

The first test for the new staff will be the match of the 10th round of the I Liga. Arka Gdynia will play at home against Polonia Warszawa, who currently sit in sixth place. Before this match, the team has time for training to implement the new ideas.

Arka's recent results include a 2-1 loss to Pogoń Siedlce and a heavy 3-0 defeat to Warta Poznań. The season's goal difference is even, 11 scored and 11 conceded. They trail the leaders, Pogoń Grod. Mazowiecki, by seven points. Grzegorczyk takes the helm at a key moment, tasked with reversing the unfavourable trend. His contract runs initially until the end of June next year.

First reported at WP SportoweFakty