The experienced defender played every game in Spain as Poland produced a series of impressive results to progress to the semi-finals.

The Poles were beaten 2-0 by eventual champions Italy, but they defeated a powerful French side 3-2 in the third/fourth place play-off to record their best-ever result at the World Cup.

Janas went into the tournament as a Legia Warsaw player, but he caught the eye of Auxerre and moved to France where he stayed for four years until his retirement in 1986 at the age of 33.

Management beckoned, but the defender took time to learn his trade as assistant coach at Legia Warsaw before taking up the same role with the Poland Youth side.

Janas helped the squad reach the Olympic Final in 1992 and although they lost to hosts Spain, the silver medal was a superb achievement.

Two years later, Janas took over as head coach at Legia Warsaw and guided them to two Polish championships, two Polish Cups and the quarter-final of the Champions League in 1996.

After spells back with the Polish Youth side and as manager/vice-president at Amica Wronki, Janas was appointed national team manager in December 2002 after Zbigniew Boniek stepped down.

The move paid dividends for Poland as their results improved, although it was still not enough to qualify for the European Championships as they were edged out by Sweden and Latvia.

However, Janas then masterminded a run of seven successive victories - including wins over Italy, Serbia-Montenegro and Slovenia - to boost confidence.

But that was shattered recently with a 5-1 friendly defeat at home to Denmark which has affected confidence.

"I am a man of honour," Janas admitted after the drubbing. "If we have poor results against Northern Ireland and England I will resign immediately."

The pressure is on then, but England cannot afford to be sentimental in Chorzow on Wednesday.