Polonia replace Zielinski with Michniewicz

Polonia Warsaw have named Czeslaw Michniewicz as their new coach after sacking Jacek Zielinski just 12 months into his tenure. Michniewicz, 42, had been tipped to take the helm of a string of clubs since losing his job at Jagiellonia Bialystok in December. He has managed a host of high-profile teams in the past, including Lech Poznan, who he steered to a Polish Cup conquest in 2004, and Zaglebie Lubin, with whom he won the league title in 2007. Zielinski, 51, was fired yesterday, paying the price for a slide in form at Polonia, whose owner, construction magnate Jozef Wojciechowski, is known for his tough approach and ambitions for the club. One of the country's oldest clubs, Polonia failed in their bid to mark their 100th anniversary by winning the 2011 title, and brought Zielinski on board as last season wound up. He had also coached Polonia in 2008 and '09. While Polonia stand a credible fifth in the 16-team Ekstraklasa, they lie six points behind leaders and fierce rivals Legia Warsaw. Zielinski's hours were counted after Monday's 3-0 defeat by Korona Kielce, now fourth in the table, which hit Polonia's chances of securing a UEFA Europa League slot.