Dariusz Żuraw

Dariusz Żuraw (born 14 November 1972) is a Polish professional football manager and former player who was most recently in charge of Wisła Płock. Besides Poland, he has played in Germany.

Club career Born in Wieluń, Żuraw began his career in his native Poland, playing for a succession of lower league teams: LZS Ostrówek, LZS Rychłocice, WKS Wieluń, Okocimski KS Brzesko, Zagłębie Lubin.

He was spotted by Hannover 96, then of 2. Bundesliga, and moved there on 24 October 2001, making his debut a month later on 28 November 2001 in a DFB-Pokal tie against VfL Wolfsburg II. He immediately enjoyed success, as the club won promotion, comfortably finishing as champions.

Żuraw's first game at the top level was also a memorable occasion as he scored after just 6 minutes against Hamburger SV.

He was a regular fixture in defence during his seven seasons with Hannover 96; in 2004–05, he was just one game away from being an ever-present (as suspension ruled him out).

In 2008, he transferred to the Polish Ekstraklasa club Arka Gdynia, on a free transfer from Hannover 96.

International career Żuraw made one appearance for the Poland national team, in a 3–1 friendly defeat to Belarus on 9 February 2005.

Managerial career Ahead of the 2017–18 season, Żuraw took over as manager at Znicz Pruszków, newly relegated to the third-tier II liga.

From 31 March 2019 to 6 April 2021, he served as manager of Ekstraklasa club Lech Poznań.

On 6 September 2022, he was appointed manager of second-tier side Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała, signing a deal until June 2024. On 3 June 2023, during a press conference following a 4–3 comeback win against Resovia, which saw Podbeskidzie finish the season in 7th, one spot short of promotion play-offs, Żuraw announced he would be leaving the team with immediate effect.

On 26 October 2023, Żuraw took charge of another I liga club Wisła Płock. After losing the last three games of the regular season and missing out on the promotion play-offs by two points, Żuraw left the club by mutual consent on 27 May 2024.

Managerial statistics

+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecord WKS Wieluń14 October 201017 August 2012 Odra Opole16 September 201219 November 2013

Honours Manager Odra Opole III liga Opole–Silesia: 2012–13 Polish Cup (Opole regional level): 2012–13

Individual Ekstraklasa Coach of the Month: June 2020, July 2020