Poland Coach Resigns After Lewandowski’s Captaincy

After a disagreement with star striker Robert Lewandowski over a controversial change in captaincy, Michal Probierz has stepped down as manager of the Polish national team.

Probierz took over in September 2023, but he quit when Lewandowski said he didn’t want to keep playing for him. The argument started when the coach took away the captaincy from the 36-year-old Barcelona attacker and gave it to midfielder Piotr Zielinski.

Lewandowski, who has scored the most goals for Poland in 158 games (85), didn’t like the way the change was announced.

He said that Probierz called him for a short time while he was putting his kids to bed to tell him about the choice. A formal declaration from the Polish Football Association (PZPN) came soon after, leaving the veteran striker “hurt and disappointed.”

Probierz said he had to put the national team’s needs first, which is why he quit. 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.”

He went on to say, “Doing this job was the fulfillment of my professional dreams and the greatest honor of my life.” Probierz’s time as coach ended on a low note, with Poland coming last in their group at UEFA Euro 2024.

Poland will play the Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier on September 4 for those who don’t know.