{{Short description|Polish footballer (born 1964)}} {{Distinguish|Piotr Nowak (politician)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Piotr Nowak | image = Piotr Nowak in 2016.jpg | caption = Nowak in 2016 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1964|7|5}} | birth_place = Pabianice, Poland | height = {{height|ft=5|in=7}} | position = Midfielder | currentclub = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 1979–1983 | clubs1 = Włókniarz Pabianice | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 1983–1984 | clubs2 = GKS Bełchatów | caps2 = | goals2 = | years3 = 1984–1985 | clubs3 = Zawisza Bydgoszcz | caps3 = 39 | goals3 = 8 | years4 = 1985–1986 | clubs4 = Widzew Łódź | caps4 = 10 | goals4 = 2 | years5 = 1987–1990 | clubs5 = Zawisza Bydgoszcz | caps5 = 83 | goals5 = 18 | years6 = 1990–1992 | clubs6 = Bakırköyspor | caps6 = 54 | goals6 = 16 | years7 = 1992–1993 | clubs7 = Young Boys | caps7 = 42 | goals7 = 4 | years8 = 1993–1994 | clubs8 = Dynamo Dresden | caps8 = 23 | goals8 = 2 | years9 = 1994 | clubs9 = 1. FC Kaiserslautern | caps9 = 0 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 1994–1998 | clubs10 = 1860 Munich | caps10 = 93 | goals10 = 15 | years11 = 1998–2002 | clubs11 = Chicago Fire | caps11 = 114 | goals11 = 26 | totalcaps = | totalgoals = | nationalyears1 = 1990–1998 | nationalteam1 = Poland | nationalcaps1 = 24 | nationalgoals1 = 3 | medaltemplates = | manageryears1 = 2004–2006 | managerclubs1 = D.C. United | manageryears2 = 2007–2009 | managerclubs2 = United States U23 | manageryears3 = 2007–2009 | managerclubs3 = United States (assistant) | manageryears4 = 2010–2012 | managerclubs4 = Philadelphia Union | manageryears5 = 2014–2015 | managerclubs5 = Antigua and Barbuda | manageryears6 = 2016–2017 | managerclubs6 = Lechia Gdańsk | manageryears7 = 2017–2018 | managerclubs7 = Lechia Gdańsk (sporting director) | manageryears8 = 2021–2022 | managerclubs8 = Jagiellonia Białystok | image_size = 210 }}
'''Piotr "Peter" Nowak''' ({{IPA|pl|ˈpjɔtr ˈnɔvak}}; born 5 July 1964) is a Polish professional football manager and former player. He was most recently in charge of Ekstraklasa club Jagiellonia Białystok.
Nowak played in Europe for Polish clubs such as Zawisza Bydgoszcz and Widzew Łódź, before going on to play in Turkey, Switzerland and Germany. He was voted one of the best players in the Bundesliga for the 1995–96 season while playing with 1860 Munich.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} He moved to the United States in 1998 and played four years with Chicago Fire. Nowak played for the Poland national football team throughout the 1990s, earning 24 caps, serving as national captain for several years, and being voted Polish Footballer of the Year in 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/footballer_of_the_year/polen/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912100349/http://www.worldfootball.net/footballer_of_the_year/polen/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2013 |title=Player of the year – Poland |website=worldfootball.net |access-date=22 December 2024}}</ref>
As a coach, he is a former assistant coach of the United States men's national soccer team under Bob Bradley, former head coach of United States U-23 men's national soccer team, and former head coach of D.C. United and Philadelphia Union of MLS. However, his reputation in the USA took a big hit after he was accused of seriously mistreating and physically abusing players whilst being coach of the latter; an arbitration and a federal case that followed supported the charges in the accusations.<ref name="przegladsportowy.pl">{{cite web|url=http://www.przegladsportowy.pl/pilka-nozna/ekstraklasa,piotr-nowak-mial-bic-i-obrazac-pilkarzy-teraz-obejmie-lechie,artykul,635509,1,787.html|title=Piotr Nowak. Miał bić i obrażać piłkarzy. Teraz obejmie Lechię|date=8 January 2016|access-date=16 February 2016|archive-date=1 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301035349/http://www.przegladsportowy.pl/pilka-nozna/ekstraklasa,piotr-nowak-mial-bic-i-obrazac-pilkarzy-teraz-obejmie-lechie,artykul,635509,1,787.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="philly.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/Spanking-dehydration-and-ignorance-of-concussions-New-details-about-Peter-Nowaks-Union-tenure.html|title=Spanking, dehydration and ignorance of concussions: New details about Peter Nowak's Union tenure|date=6 January 2016|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-date=29 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629121848/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/thegoalkeeper/Spanking-dehydration-and-ignorance-of-concussions-New-details-about-Peter-Nowaks-Union-tenure.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sport.pl">{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.pl/sport/1,65025,19441912,ekstraklasa-w-sport-pl-skonczony-w-mls-teraz-przejmie-lechie.html|title=Ekstraklasa w Sport.pl. Nowak znęcał się nad piłkarzami w USA i teraz przejmie Lechię?|date=7 January 2016|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909000200/http://www.sport.pl/sport/1,65025,19441912,ekstraklasa-w-sport-pl-skonczony-w-mls-teraz-przejmie-lechie.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="weszlo.com">{{cite web|url=http://weszlo.com/2016/01/07/biegi-bez-wody-i-kubelek-z-lodem-jak-piotr-nowak-krzewil-polska-mysl-szkoleniowa/|title=Biegi bez wody i kubły z lodem. Jak Piotr Nowak krzewił polską myśl szkoleniową - weszlo.com|date=7 January 2016|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-date=8 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908202442/http://weszlo.com/2016/01/07/biegi-bez-wody-i-kubelek-z-lodem-jak-piotr-nowak-krzewil-polska-mysl-szkoleniowa/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tvn24.pl">{{cite web|url=http://sport.tvn24.pl/pilka-nozna,105/piotr-nowak-znecal-sie-nad-pilkarzami-w-philadelphii-union,608694.html|title=Amerykanie oskarżają polskiego trenera. "Znęcał się nad piłkarzami, ignorował ich kontuzje..."|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909000329/https://sport.tvn24.pl/pilka-nozna,105/piotr-nowak-znecal-sie-nad-pilkarzami-w-philadelphii-union,608694.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
He had a brief stint whilst still a player in the United States as chairman of Górnik Konin, but was hugely unpopular and widely blamed for the club's demise.<ref name="gornik.konin.pl">{{cite web|url=http://gornik.konin.pl/2014/?page_id=714|title=Od początku do dzisiaj » Nieoficjalny serwis kibiców KS Górnik Konin|website=gornik.konin.pl|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-date=8 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908202523/http://gornik.konin.pl/2014/?page_id=714|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="igol.pl">{{cite web|url=http://igol.pl/inne/mala-wielka-pilka-gornik-konin/|title=Mała Wielka Piłka: Górnik Konin|date=25 November 2010|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023238/http://igol.pl/inne/mala-wielka-pilka-gornik-konin/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://futbolfejs.pl/ekstraklasa/amerykanski-sen-brutalnie-przerwany-nowak-bierze-lechie/|title=Amerykański sen brutalnie przerwany. Nowak bierze Lechię - Futbolfejs.pl|date=8 January 2016|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-date=13 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113163223/http://futbolfejs.pl/ekstraklasa/amerykanski-sen-brutalnie-przerwany-nowak-bierze-lechie/|url-status=live}}</ref> Over a decade later, he became technical and personal advisor to the president of Caribbean Football Union and technical director and head coach to the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association.
==Club playing career== Nowak was born in Pabianice, a small town in Poland. He signed his first professional contract at the age of 15. He played in Polish First Division for Zawisza Bydgoszcz and Widzew Lodz.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
After playing at Bakirkoyspor (Turkey) and Young Boys Bern (Switzerland), Nowak moved to Germany to join Bundesliga side Dynamo Dresden. In 1994, he signed with fellow Bundesliga teams, first with 1. FC Kaiserslautern and later TSV 1860 Munich, where he played until 1998. During the 1995–96 season, Nowak was voted the Bundesliga ’s Best Playmaker, as well as the Polish Player of the Year. In the following season he advanced with 1860 Munich to UEFA Cup.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
In 1998, Nowak moved to the United States and joined the Chicago Fire for the team ’s inaugural MLS season. He led the Fire to a MLS Cup (1998) and two US Open Cups (1998, 2000). He was elected three times to MLS All Star Team, three times as Chicago Fire MVP and three times as MLS Best XI including 1998 MLS Cup MVP. Nowak patrolled the Fire midfield for 114 league games, registering 26 goals and 48 assists. He played with Chicago for five seasons and retired in 2003. He was inducted as a first member of “Ring of Fire” Chicago Fire's Hall of Fame in 2004.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
==International playing career== Nowak made his debut in the Poland national team in 1990, but it was not until the middle of the decade that he began to regularly appear in the team, briefly becoming captain later on. His last match for the national team was against England played on 31 May 1997 as part of the 1998 World Cup qualifiers. Overall he played in 19 matches and scored three goals.
==Chairman career== Whilst still playing for clubs in the United States, he became chairman of Polish club Górnik Konin in 1999. Manager Jerzy Kasalik was sacked by Nowak for unexplained reasons,<ref name="gornik.konin.pl"/><ref name="igol.pl"/> despite their first place in the league, and he appointed little-known manager Jarosław Kotas. The team soon started to lose matches at an alarming rate and only just managed to escape relegation, only thanks to their good start.<ref name="gornik.konin.pl"/><ref name="igol.pl"/>
The 1999–2000 season proved to be a disaster.<ref name="gornik.konin.pl"/> The owners decided to rename the senior team ''KP Konin'', whilst the reserve and junior teams used the old ''Aluminium Konin'' name. The club finished dead last. It then turned out that in the second half of the season plans to relocate the team to Bydgoszcz were put in place, and played under the name Zawisza SSA. In the end the relocation never came to fruition, but the team, which only amassed 8 points the entire season, was disbanded, with the club management and the chairman Piotr Nowak widely held responsible.<ref name="gornik.konin.pl"/><ref name="igol.pl"/> The reserve team, which that same season was relegated from the Third Division, became the first team, and a season later (2000–01 season) managed to gain promotion, going straight back up.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
Under the lead of Jerzy Kasalik, the team achieved a back-to-back promotion to the Second Division, restoring the club's place after the first team was disbanded. The success however was short-lived, after in the 2003–04 season the club finished last once again. Following their relegation, many of the Aluminium players were involved in the large corruption scandal in Polish football which shook the country that season, which had a major impact on the club sponsors who all withdrew. This meant that the new club couldn't even afford to play in the then regional Third Division, and the senior team was disbanded.<ref name="gornik.konin.pl"/><ref name="igol.pl"/>
==Coaching career== ===D.C. United=== Nowak worked in the Fire front office for one season as a director of international relations and ambassador, before moving to coaching in 2004, when he was hired as head coach of D.C. United. In his first season there, he guided D.C. United to a MLS Cup Championship.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} In three years with United, Nowak led the club to win the Supporters ’ Shield and was elected twice as a Head Coach of MLS All Star team (2004, 2006){{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
===US national teams=== He moved on to become an Assistant to US Men’s National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley. Nowak also served as Head Coach of the U-23 National Team, advancing to 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Together with Bradley, they coached over 70 players and orchestrated the USA’s championship run to a title in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and Mandela Cup.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} On 28 May 2009, Nowak resigned from his position with the US Men's National Team.
===Philadelphia Union=== In December 2011 Nowak was named Executive Vice President / Team Manager for the Philadelphia Union. In his 2nd season as head Coach, the Union made the playoffs for the first time. As a result, Nowak was elected to be the MLS All Star Head Coach for 2012.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
====Union firing for player abuse==== Nowak was fired by the Union on 13 June 2012. Major League Soccer had conducted an investigation into Novak's mistreatment of Union players, and advised Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz to terminate Nowak’s contract.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/philadelphia-union/peter-nowak-hazed-mistreated-players-during-tenure-union|title=Peter Nowak hazed, mistreated players during tenure with Union|website=RSN|date=6 January 2016|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622073239/https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/philadelphia-union/peter-nowak-hazed-mistreated-players-during-tenure-union|url-status=live}}</ref> Sakiewicz when he fired Novak referred to “philosophical differences” between the Union ownership and Nowak.<ref name="auto1"/>
Accusations of Nowak mistreating his players surfaced publicly thereafter. Among the accusations were Nowak's: repeatedly insulting players, trivializing injuries and calling players who had concussions "pussies" and "weak", brutal hazing of rookies, and trying to out those who took their grievances to the Players’ Union.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/02/22/court-judgment-against-piotr-nowak-philadelphia-union/|title=Court Upholds Judgment Against Former Union Coach Piotr Nowak|date=22 February 2016|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108150342/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2016/02/22/court-judgment-against-piotr-nowak-philadelphia-union/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="weszlo.com"/><ref name="tvn24.pl"/><ref name="przegladsportowy.pl"/><ref name="philly.com"/><ref name="sport.pl"/> Nowak admitted to making players run 10–12 miles in the heat while refusing them water over trainers' objections, spanking players with a sandal, and dipping his hands in ice water and paddling players.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-upholds-firing-of-soccer-coach-nowak/|title=Judge Upholds Firing of Soccer Coach Nowak|date=12 January 2016|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-date=26 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126064504/https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-upholds-firing-of-soccer-coach-nowak/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/> The club, in light of the evidence supporting the accusations, had in terminating Nowak said that Nowak had broken his contract, team rules, and the MLS collective bargaining agreement and was therefore fired "for cause."<ref name="auto"/> Nowak filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the Philadelphia Union, which he lost, as it was rejected both by an arbitrator in 2015, and then again by a Philadelphia federal district court the following year.<ref name="philly.com"/><ref name="auto"/> In addition to Nowak losing his lawsuit, he was ordered to pay $454,000 to the team for its legal fees.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sbisoccer.com/2016/01/details-emerge-regarding-peter-nowaks-tenure-with-union|title=Damning details of abuse emerge from Nowak lawsuit against Union|date=6 January 2016|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117120618/https://sbisoccer.com/2016/01/details-emerge-regarding-peter-nowaks-tenure-with-union|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Lechia Gdańsk=== In 2016, he became the manager of Lechia Gdańsk in Poland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sport.pl/pilka/1,65039,19443389,piotr-nowak-nowym-trenerem-lechii.html|title=Piotr Nowak nowym trenerem Lechii Piłka nożna - Sport.pl|access-date=16 February 2016|archive-date=1 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701104002/http://www.sport.pl/pilka/1,65039,19443389,piotr-nowak-nowym-trenerem-lechii.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Administrative and advisory career== In February 2014, he was hired as a technical and personal advisor to the president of the Caribbean Football Union, which contains 31 countries as a part of CONCACAF. In September 2014, his duties were grown to include technical director and head coach of Antigua and Barbuda Football Association, overseeing all National Team Programs including FIFA Grass Roots and Female Programs.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
==Career statistics== :''Scores and results list Poland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nowak goal.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=15300|title=Piotr Nowak - national football team player|website=eu-football.info|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909000309/https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=15300|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Piotr Nowak |- !scope="col"|No. !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |- | align="center"|1 || 6 May 1990 || Comiskey Park, Chicago, United States || {{fb|CRC}} || || align="center"|2–0 || Friendly |- | align="center"|2 || 25 April 1995 || Górnik Zabrze Stadium, Zabrze, Poland || {{fb|ISR}} || || align="center"|4–3 || UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying |- | align="center"|3 || 7 June 1995 || Górnik Zabrze Stadium, Zabrze, Poland || {{fb|SVK}} || || align="center"|5–0 || UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying |}
==Managerial statistics== {{Updated|27 May 2012}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Managerial record by team and tenure |- !rowspan="2"|Team !rowspan="2"|From !rowspan="2"|To !colspan="5"|Record |- !G!!W!!L!!D!!Win % |- |align=left|D.C. United |align=left|2004 |align=left|2006 ||94||42||27||25|| {{#expr: 42 / 94 * 100 round 2}} |- |align=left|United States U-23 |align=left|2007 |align=left|2009 |||||||||| |- |align=left|Philadelphia Union |align=left|2010 |align=left|2012 ||75||21||30||24|| {{#expr: 21 / 75 * 100 round 2}} |- !colspan="3"|Total ! 169 !! 63 !! 57 !! 49 !! {{#expr: 63 / 169 * 100 round 2}} |}
==Legacy== In 2003, Nowak was named the first member of the ''Ring of Fire'', the highest honor the Chicago Fire bestows, and his name and number 10 are displayed at midfield at their stadium, Toyota Park. In 2005, Nowak was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} For his contribution to promotion of Poland abroad and achievements as a coach, he received the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland in 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12190-2005Feb9.html | title = United Coach Honored On Peter Nowak Day | work = washingtonpost.com | date = 10 February 2005 | access-date = 3 October 2012 | archive-date = 4 December 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161204083541/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12190-2005Feb9.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
== Honours == '''Chicago Fire''' * MLS Cup: 1998 * U.S. Open Cup: 1998, 2000
'''Individual''' * ''Piłka Nożna'' Polish Footballer of the Year: 1996<ref>{{cite web |title=Laureaci |url=https://pilkanozna.pl/laureaci/ |website=pilkanozna.pl |access-date=16 July 2024 |language=pl}}</ref> * MLS Best XI: 1998, 2000, 2001 * MLS All-Time Best XI *MLS All-Star: 1999,<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 17, 1999 |title=1999 MLS All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/1999-mls-all-star-game-373142 |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=July 27, 2023 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727184605/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/1999-mls-all-star-game-373142 |url-status=live }}</ref> 2000<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2000 |title=2000 MLS All-Star Game |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2000-mls-all-star-game-373143 |work=MLSsoccer.com |access-date=July 28, 2023 |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213031808/https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2000-mls-all-star-game-373143 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also== * List of MLS coaches
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{NFT|15149<!-- /Piotr_Nowak -->}} * {{90minut|1486}} * {{TFF player|22339}}
{{Navboxes | title = Awards | bg = gold | fg = navy | list1 = {{Polish Footballer of the Year}} {{MLS Cup MVP}} {{1998 MLS Best XI}} {{2000 MLS Best XI}} {{2001 MLS Best XI}} {{MLSXI}} }} {{Navboxes |title= Piotr Nowak managerial positions |list1= {{D.C. United managers}} {{Philadelphia Union managers}} {{Antigua and Barbuda national football team managers}} {{Lechia Gdańsk managers}} {{Jagiellonia Białystok managers}} }} {{United States squad 2008 Summer Olympics}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nowak, Piotr}} Category:1964 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Łódź Voivodeship Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Polish men's footballers Category:Polish expatriate men's footballers Category:Polish football managers Category:Widzew Łódź players Category:Zawisza Bydgoszcz players Category:Bakırköyspor footballers Category:Dynamo Dresden players Category:1. FC Kaiserslautern players Category:TSV 1860 Munich players Category:BSC Young Boys players Category:Chicago Fire FC players Category:Ekstraklasa players Category:Bundesliga players Category:Süper Lig players Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Switzerland Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States Category:Ekstraklasa managers Category:D.C. United head coaches Category:Philadelphia Union head coaches Category:Lechia Gdańsk managers Category:Jagiellonia Białystok managers Category:Poland men's international footballers Category:Sportspeople from Pabianice Category:Expatriate soccer coaches in the United States Category:Major League Soccer players Category:Major League Soccer All-Stars Category:Polish expatriate sportspeople in the United States Category:Polish expatriate sportspeople in Germany Category:Polish expatriate sportspeople in Switzerland Category:Polish expatriate sportspeople in Turkey Category:Knights of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland Category:Olympic coaches for the United States Category:20th-century Polish sportsmen