Lechia Gdansk welcomed Jakub Adkonis at training, and the new coach introduced an English sparring session as part of the preparation. The former player, who featured for the club from 2018‑2021, appeared on the pitch on Wednesday, July 3 2026, to help with intense sessions before the final matches of the season.

Why did Adkonis return?

After his contract ended in 2021, Adkonis played in lower divisions but never cut ties with Lechia. Coach Marek Zawadzki, who took over in June, invited him to boost morale and share his experience. According to Zawadzki, “Adkonis knows the club’s culture and can inspire the younger players.”

What does English sparring mean?

The new training plan includes two weekly sessions with an English reserve side organized by a Premier League partner. The goal is to increase game tempo and improve technique under pressure. The coach stresses that “exposure to a different style of play develops our tactics and gets us used to rapid situation changes.”

How does the league situation affect decisions?

Lechia Gdansk sits 16th in the Ekstraklasa with 38 points after 34 games (12W‑7D‑15L). The team has lost its last five matches, the most recent being a 2‑3 defeat to Nieciecza on May 23 2026. They trail league leaders Lech Poznan by 22 points, making every win essential to avoid relegation.

What’s next after the trainings?

Players have two August fixtures ahead to test the new ideas. Adkonis plans to stay with the club as a mentor, and Zawadzki hopes the former player’s experience will help reverse the negative trend. Will English sparring bring the needed shift? Time will tell, but early signals look promising.