Full name Zbigniew Kruszynski Years Team Name Zbigniew Kruszynski Height 1.82 m | Place of birth Tczew, Poland 1976–1979 Lechia Gdansk Role Football player Position Defender, Utility player | |
 | ||
Date of birth (1960-10-14) 14 October 1960 (age 55) Playing position | ||
Zbigniew Kruszynski (born 14 October 1960 in Tczew), commonly known as Detsi Kruszynski or Detzi Kruszynski, is a retired Polish-German football midfielder, who was also adept in defence and attack. In an 18-year professional career, he played league football in Poland, Germany and England. His probably best remembered for his three-year spell in Germany with 1. FC Saarbrucken, making over 130 appearances. He also made over 70 Division One appearances for Wimbledon in England. Kruszynski represented Poland at U18 level and was part of the side which finished third at the 1978 European U18 Championship. Kruszynski currently coaches youth football in Ohio, United States.
Contents
Lechia Gdansk
Kruszynski began his career as a youth at hometown club Unia Tczew, before moving to II Liga side Lechia Gdansk in 1976. Despite being aged just 16, he made his professional debut in a league match versus Olimpia Poznan on 5 June 1977, coming on as a substitute for Andrzej Glownia after 67 minutes. He made his first start for the club up front in the following game against Ursus Warszawa and scored his first goal for the club on his fourth appearance, bagging what looked to be the winner versus Zawisza Bydgoszcz on 19 June, before a late equaliser saw the game end 1-1. Kruszynski broke into the team the 1977/78 season, making 23 league appearances and scoring two goals and improving again the following year, scoring 10 goals in 34 games. Kruszynski travelled with the club to take part in a friendly tournament in West Germany in the summer of 1979 and refused to return to Poland with the team, causing the Polish FA to suspend him for a year. He made 61 appearances and scored 13 goals for Gdansk.
Hamburger SV II
While in West Germany, Kruszynski signed for Hamburger SV II in 1979. In a three-season spell, he failed to make an appearance for the club's first team, but was able to train with high-profile players Franz Beckenbauer, Kevin Keegan, Manfred Kaltz and Felix Magath.
SC Concordia von 1907
Kruszynski joined Oberliga Nord side SC Concordia von 1907 in 1982 and departed at the end of the 1982/83 season.
1. FC Saarbrucken
Kruszynski moved back up the German pyramid to sign for 2. Bundesliga side 1. FC Saarbrucken in 1983. He quickly established himself in the team, missing just five league games during the 1983/84 season. Kruszynski made 32 appearances to help the club to a third-place finish in the 1984/85 season and securing promotion to the Bundesliga after winning a playoff versus Arminia Bielefeld. Now playing at the summit of German football, Kruszynski was moved from his forward position back into the defence, making 32 appearances in a poor season which saw Saarbrucken relegated straight back to the 2. Bundesliga. Kruszynski departed the club at the end of the 1986/87 season, a disastrous campaign in which Saarbrucken narrowly avoided relegation to the Oberliga. He made 133 appearances and scored 10 goals during three years at the Ludwigsparkstadion.
FC 08 Homburg
Kruszynski remained within Saarland to sign for Bundesliga side FC 08 Homburg in 1987. He made 34 appearances and scored two goals during a disastrous 1987/88 season, which saw Homburg relegated back to the 2. Bundesliga after just two seasons in the top-flight.
Wimbledon
Kruszynski moved to England to sign for Division One side Wimbledon in December 1988 and became the third Pole to play in the English top-flight. Utilised as a midfielder by manager Bobby Gould, he struggled to adapt to the physicality of the English game. Kruszynski made 71 appearances and scored four goals during three-and-a-half years with the Dons.
Brentford (loan and permanent signing)
Kruszynski joined Division Three side Brentford on loan for the final eight games of the 1991/92 season. He played in each game in midfield and helped the Bees secure the Division Three title and promotion to the second tier for the first time in nearly forty years. Kruszynski signed permanently in August 1992, but managed only eight appearances in the whole of the 1992/93 season, as the Bees suffered relegation straight back to the third-tier. He made 16 appearances and scored no goals in just over a year at Griffin Park.
Coventry City
After a deal to move back to Germany fell through, Kruszynski remained in England and signed for Premiership side Coventry City in September 1993. He made his debut on 25 September in a 2-0 defeat to Leeds United. After two further appearances, he departed the club in December 1993.
Peterborough United
After a proposed move to Division Two side Birmingham City failed to materialise, Kruszynski joined Division One club Peterborough United in December 1993. He made his debut in a 1-1 FA Cup third round draw with Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur on 8 January 1994. Kruszynski managed just four further appearances before departing London Road.
Non-league football
Kruszynski dropped into non-league football in 1994 and played for Oxford City, St Albans City, Hayes, Chertsey Town and Kingstonian before retiring in 1997.
International career
Kruszynski represented Poland at U18 level and was part of the side which finished third at the 1978 European U18 Championship. Kruszynski's decision to play club football in Germany in 1979 effectively ended his international career, due to citizenship issues.
Coaching career
Since 2001, Kruszynski has coached youngsters at his coaching school in Ohio, United States. At one time, the school had links with Spanish giants Barcelona.
Personal life
Kruszynski's brothers Bogdan and Andrezj were also footballers.
Honours
Poland U18
Brentford