Waldemar Fornalik (born 11 April 1963) is a Polish professional football manager and former player who is currently the manager of I liga club Ruch Chorzów. A one-club man, he spent his entire playing career with Ruch. From July 2012 to October 2013, he managed the Poland national team.
Fornalik won the 1988âÂÂ89 Ekstraklasa with Ruch Chorzów.
Following the end of his playing career, Fornalik began a managing career. He was in charge of Górnik Zabrze and Odra Wodzisà Âaw in the early 2000s. He won the bronze medal with Ruch Chorzów in the 2009âÂÂ10 Ekstraklasa season. In the 2011âÂÂ12 season, he led Ruch to second place, the highest placement since winning the title in 1989.
In July 2012, Fornalik became the coach of the Poland national team after the dismissal of Franciszek Smuda. On 16 October 2013, after a 0âÂÂ1 loss to Ukraine in Kharkiv, which confirmed that Poland would not be going to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, and a 0âÂÂ2 loss to England at Wembley Stadium the previous night, PZPN sacked Fornalik due to not fulfilling his contract objectives.
On 19 September 2017, he became the manager of Piast Gliwice. Under Fornalik's rule, Piast turned into overachievers, consistently competing for spots in the upper half of the table, which resulted in winning the championship at the end of the 2018âÂÂ19 season, finishing third two years later and two short-lived European campaigns. On 25 October 2022, following a poor start to the 2022âÂÂ23 campaign, Fornalik left Piast and was replaced by Aleksandar Vukoviàtwo days later.
On 29 November 2022, Fornalik was announced as the new head coach of Zagà ÂÃÂbie Lubin, agreeing to a contract until the end of the 2023âÂÂ24 season. He extended his deal for a further year on 26 June 2024. On 22 September 2024, Zagà ÂÃÂbie suffered a 1âÂÂ5 away loss to Raków CzÃÂstochowa, leaving the club in relegation zone with eight points after nine rounds of the 2024âÂÂ25 season. The following day, Fornalik was sacked by Zagà ÂÃÂbie's board.
On 6 August 2025, Fornalik returned to Ruch Chorzów for his third stint as manager.
Ruch Chorzów
Piast Gliwice
Individual