Rafał Górak

Rafał Górak (born 30 March 1973) is a Polish professional football manager and former player who played as a defender. He is currently the manager of Ekstraklasa club GKS Katowice.

Playing career

Górak began his playing career with his hometown club Polonia Bytom. He later represented Rymer Niedobczyce, Kalwarianka Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and Górnik Wojkowice, before playing for a combined Polonia and Szombierki Bytom side. He returned to Polonia Bytom in 1999.

In 2001, Górak joined Szczakowianka Jaworzno. He was part of the team that competed in the top tier of Polish football and later finished his playing career with Ruch Radzionków.

Managerial career

Ruch Radzionków

Górak began his managerial career with Ruch Radzionków in 2006. Under his management, the club won the Silesia I group of the fourth tier in the 2006–07 season and the Opole–Silesia group of the III liga in 2008–09.

In the 2009–10 season, Ruch won the western group of the II liga and earned promotion to the second tier of Polish football. Górak left the club in December 2010.

GKS Tychy and first spell at GKS Katowice

On 1 April 2011, Górak became manager of GKS Tychy. He left the club in June 2011 to take charge of GKS Katowice.

During his first spell with GKS Katowice, he managed the team in the second tier of Polish football. His tenure ended in August 2013.

BKS Stal Bielsko-Biała

In December 2013, Górak was appointed manager of BKS Stal Bielsko-Biała. He remained in charge until April 2017.

Elana Toruń

Górak became manager of Elana Toruń in April 2017. In the 2017–18 season, he led the club to the III liga Group II championship and promotion to the II liga. Elana also won the Kuyavia-Pomerania regional Polish Cup during the same campaign.

He left Elana in June 2019 to return to GKS Katowice.

Return to GKS Katowice

Górak returned to GKS Katowice in June 2019, following the club's relegation to the II liga. In the 2020–21 season, he led the club to promotion to the I liga.

In the 2023–24 season, GKS Katowice finished second in the I liga and secured direct promotion to the Ekstraklasa. The promotion marked the club's return to the highest level of Polish football after a 19-year absence.

In the 2024–25 season, Górak led GKS Katowice to an eighth-place finish in the club's first campaign back in the Ekstraklasa.

In July 2025, he signed a new contract with GKS Katowice, extending his agreement with the club until 2028.

Managerial statistics

+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordRuch RadzionkówJune 200621 December 2010 Elana Toruń10 April 20173 June 2019

Honours Manager Ruch Radzionków II liga West: 2009–10 III liga: 2006–07 (Silesia I), 2008–09 (Opole-Silesia) Polish Cup (Silesia regionals): 2008–09 Polish Cup (Bytom regionals): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09

Elana Toruń III liga, group II: 2017–18 Polish Cup (Kuyavia-Pomerania regionals): 2017–18

Individual I liga Coach of the Month: February & March 2024, May 2024