Jerzy Engel has steered Poland to their first World Cup finals tournament since 1986.
He became manager in 1999 and was instrumental in securing Emmanuel Olisadebe's naturalisation as a Polish national.
With the side lacking firepower when he took charge, Engel saw the qualities in Nigerian-born Olisadebe who was already playing his league football in Poland.
He asked the president to speed Olisadebe's papers through and, as a result, had a talented forward available for World Cup qualifying . He was rewarded with eight goals.
The 50-year-old began his career in football at an early age playing at local club Junak Wloclawek.
He had spells at AZS, AWF Warsaw and Polonia Warsaw before having to retire early from the game because of injury.
He also coached at domestic level in Poland and Cyprus before his current job.