Probierz Resigns as Polish National Football Team Coach
In a surprising turn of events, Michal Probierz has stepped down as the head coach of the Polish national football team following a significant dispute regarding the team captaincy. The conflict arose when Probierz decided to replace long-time captain Robert Lewandowski with fellow player Piotr Zielinski, leading Lewandowski, the country’s all-time leading scorer, to declare he would no longer participate in the national team as long as Probierz remained at the helm.
Incident Overview
The incident unfolded last Sunday when Lewandowski expressed his disappointment over the manner in which he learned about his removal as captain, describing it as a brief phone call made at an unfortunate time while he was putting his children to bed. Shortly after, the Polish Football Association (PZPN) published a notice that confirmed the change in captaincy, further deepening Lewandowski’s hurt feelings.
Probierz’s Resignation
“I have come to the conclusion that in the current situation the best decision for the good of the national team will be my resignation from the position of coach.”
Probierz reflected on his time in charge, calling it the realization of his professional dreams and the highest honor he could have achieved.
Coaching Tenure and Future Outlook
Probierz took over from Fernando Santos in early 2023, but his time was marked by challenges, including leading Poland to an early exit from Euro 2024. His contract was expected to run until the end of the qualifying stage for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Currently, Poland sits third in Group G of the World Cup qualifiers, garnering six points from three matches, trailing leaders Finland.
The PZPN has expressed gratitude towards Probierz for his commitment and efforts in guiding the national team and extended best wishes for his future endeavors.
Lewandowski’s Absence
Meanwhile, Lewandowski has been absent from recent matches, including Poland’s 2-1 loss to Finland and their subsequent friendly victory over Moldova. He cited both physical and mental fatigue from a demanding season as reasons for his withdrawal. Looking ahead, Poland will face the Netherlands in their next qualifying match scheduled for September 4.
