Motor Lublin has begun its search for a new sports director after ending its cooperation with Veljko Nikitovic at the end of September. The club terminated the contract of the 46-year-old Serb, who had held the role since May, creating an urgent vacancy in the management structure.

The club, which sits 12th in the Ekstraklasa with 12 points after 11 games, aims to quickly stabilise the situation ahead of the winter transfer window. The team's record stands at three wins, three draws, and five losses, with their last four matches yielding two wins, one draw, and one defeat. The owner and president are in talks with two or three candidates. "They are Jacek Zieliński and Dariusz Sztylka," said Tomasz Włodarczyk.

Candidate profile: Dariusz Sztylka

The leading candidate is the current sports director of Odra Opole, Dariusz Sztylka. The 48-year-old specialist has a contract with the Opole club until 2028, which he signed in the spring of this year with an option to extend. Sztylka has extensive experience in the Ekstraklasa, gained during his work at Śląsk Wrocław from 2018 to 2023, and later at Wisła Płock, which he helped gain promotion to the top league in 2025. After a brief return to Wrocław at the start of 2026, he went back to Opole.

Other considered candidates

The second name under consideration is Jacek Zieliński, the former sports director of Legia Warsaw. Zieliński worked at the capital club from 2021 to 2024 and has been without a club since July after concluding an advisory role.

The decision is vital for the team's future, as they have left the relegation zone after two consecutive wins, 3-2 against Śląsk and 3-2 against Radomiak. On Saturday 17 October, Motor beat Śląsk Wrocław 3-2 with goals from Makan Aiko, Christopher Simon, and a penalty from Yacine Bourhane in added time. Previously, on Monday 12 October, they won 3-2 against Radomiak Radom thanks to goals from Mbaye Jacques Ndiaye, a penalty from Karol Czubak, and Christopher Simon. Czubak is currently the team's top scorer this season with six goals. The squad is preparing for Friday's home match against 7th-placed Zagłębie Lubin. The club aims to finalise the selection of the new director in the coming days to strengthen its transfer strategy for the upcoming months. Across the season, Motor has scored 15 goals while conceding 19, giving them a goal difference of minus four, and they trail league leaders Gornik Zabrze by 14 points.

The report in full is at gol24.pl