He is well known for managing the Poland national team. He coached Poland from 1981 to 1986 and from 1996 to 1997. He led the national team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, where Poland won the bronze medal, and at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
In the 2002 local election Piechniczek was elected to the Silesian Regional Assembly II Term and was one of the three Vice-Chairpersons of the assembly. In 2006 he was re-elected, but his term (Assembly III Term) was ended after one year. In 2007, Piechniczek was elected to the Senate of the Republic of Poland (upper chamber of Polish parliament) and served in his role until 2011.