jacek magiera has died at the age of 49 after collapsing during a morning running session in Wroclaw, the Polish Football Association said on Friday, April 10, 2026 ET. He was taken quickly to the Military Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw, but his life could not be saved. The news has prompted a broad reaction across Polish football, including a planned tribute from PKO BP Ekstraklasa during the upcoming 28th round.
What happened in Wroclaw
The Polish Football Association announced the death of jacek magiera, who served as the national team’s assistant coach. A report from Radio Wroclaw states that he went out for a run in the morning, felt unwell during training, and was transported to hospital shortly afterward.
The timing made the news especially abrupt. The association’s statement described the loss with deep regret, and the wider football community was left facing the death of a figure who had remained active at the highest level of the game. jacek magiera had been part of Jan Urban’s staff since July 2025.
Tribute planned in the league
PKO BP Ekstraklasa has already marked the passing of jacek magiera and said his memory will be honored during every match in the 28th round. That decision gives the league’s next fixtures an added layer of significance, with clubs expected to pause for remembrance.
No further details were given in the available material about the form the tribute will take, but the message was clear: the league intends to acknowledge the loss publicly and across all upcoming games in that round.
A career that reached clubs and the national setup
jacek magiera began his playing career at Raków Częstochowa before moving to Legia Warsaw, where he won two Polish championships, the Polish Cup, and the Polish Super Cup. He also played for Widzew Łódź and Cracovia.
At youth level, he was part of a successful Poland side that won the UEFA European Under-16 Championship in 1993 and finished fourth at the Under-17 World Cup. After ending his playing career, he moved into coaching and worked as an assistant with the Under-18 national team, led Legia Warsaw, and coached Zagłębie Sosnowiec and Śląsk Wrocław.
Immediate reaction from football circles
The Polish Football Association said with deep sorrow that jacek magiera had died while holding the role of second coach in the national team. The association emphasized his knowledge and experience, calling him a highly valued expert in Polish football.
That reaction fits the scale of his presence in the domestic game. He was not only a former top-flight player, but also a coach trusted in club football and at national-team level.
What comes next
The immediate focus now is on the league tribute and on the messages that will continue to come from clubs, officials, and colleagues in the hours ahead. For now, the most important fact remains unchanged: jacek magiera is gone, and Polish football is preparing to honor him in the matches to come.
