Michal Probierz has resigned as manager of Poland following the outburst over his decision to replace Robert Lewandowski as captain.
The Barcelona striker had earlier revealed his decision to quit playing for the country after the manner in which he was replaced as captain.
What happened?
Lewandowski had surprisingly announced on Sunday that he would no longer play for the Poland national team, as long as Probierz was in charge.
The 52-year old coach had replaced the former Bayern Munich forward with Piotr Zielinski as captain, leading to public outburst between the two.
“It’s not even about the decision regarding the armband, but the way it was communicated to me,” Lewandowski stated.
Read this: Lewandowski accuses La Liga referee of dirty football
“I really don’t care about the armband itself. I believe in Zieliński and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for him.
I have the impression that the coach caved in to the media pressure. He broke agreements we had and that’s why I’m surprised by his attitude”, he added.
Lewandowski who is the country all-time leading goalscorer, had missed both games of the last international window against Moldova and Finland, citing mental exhaustion after a grueling campaign.
“The decision that I wouldn’t come to the training camp was made together with the coach. I called him to ask what he thought about me getting some rest. He said that he supported it and that he was even thinking about calling me about it.”
What Probierz said
“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 said in a statement.
Check this: Lewandowski pledges commitment to Barcelona
The 52-year old had taken over from Fernando Santos in 2023, although his contract was due to expire before the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
“Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life.”
What next for Poland?
Poland are currently third in Group G of the European qualifying campaign, after suffering a 2-1 defeat at Poland on Tuesday.
They next head to Netherlands in September, as they look to close the gap on the Dutch to secure qualification for next year’s event.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
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