"I am completely satisfied with what I achieved as a player and coach," Kasperczak told Poland's PAP news agency.
He added: "I took part in World Cups and the Olympics. I won medals. I made a smooth transition into coaching. In this sport, you win some and you lose some."
Born in the southern Polish city of Zabrze, Kasperczak began his playing career with Stal Zabrze before joining Stal Mielec, where he became one of the leading figures in one of the strongest teams in Polish football history.
With Stal Mielec, he won Polish league titles in 1973 and 1976, while the club also enjoyed memorable European campaigns, pushing Real Madrid in the European Cup and reaching the UEFA Cup quarterfinals in 1976.
Kasperczak made his Poland debut in 1973 under coach Kazimierz Górski, scoring in a 4-0 victory over the United States.
He soon established himself as a key member of the team that qualified for the 1974 World Cup after a famous 1-1 draw with England at Wembley Stadium. His interception led to Jan Domarski's decisive goal in that match.
At the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, Poland finished third in one of the greatest achievements in the country's football history.
Kasperczak played a pivotal role throughout the tournament, including providing two assists in a 2-1 victory over Italy.
He also helped Poland win the silver medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics before appearing at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, his final major tournament.
He ended his international career with 61 caps and five goals.
After moving to France in 1978, Kasperczak joined FC Metz, where he later began his coaching career.
He led the club to the French Cup in 1984 before managing Saint‑Étienne, Strasbourg, Montpellier and Lille.
In 1990, France Football named him the country's coach of the year.
His coaching career also took him to Africa, where he managed Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Morocco and Mali.
He guided Tunisia to the 1998 World Cup after leading the team to qualification for both the World Cup and the 1996 Olympic Games.
In Poland, Kasperczak enjoyed his greatest coaching success with Wisła Kraków, winning league titles in 2003 and 2004 and Polish Cup trophies in 2002 and 2003.
His side also reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup in the 2002/2003 season.
He later coached Górnik Zabrze, AO Kavala in Greece, Al Wasl in the United Arab Emirates and Shenyang Sealion in China before retiring from coaching in 2017.
Kasperczak, who lives in Saint-Étienne, regularly visits Poland and continues to follow the game closely.
"I watch all the important matches, including the World Cup," he said. "You can't give up as you get older."
He was due to celebrate his 80th birthday in Kraków at Wisła’s 120th‑anniversary match against Wrexham.
(pu/gs)
Source: PAP