Poland Coach Quits After Lewandowski Refuses To Play Under Him
Poland’s national team coach, Michal Probierz, has resigned following star striker Robert Lewandowski’s decision to boycott the team under his leadership.
Lewandowski, Poland’s all-time top scorer with 85 goals in 158 appearances, walked away from international duty on Sunday after Probierz removed him as captain and handed the armband to Piotr Zielinski.
Probierz’s resignation comes just two days after Poland lost 2-1 to Finland in a World Cup qualifier, leaving them third in their group with six points from three games.
Finland top the group with seven points from four games, while the Netherlands are second with six points from two matches.
“In the current situation, the best decision for the good of the national team is my resignation,” Probierz said in a statement released on Thursday.
The 52-year-old, who took over the team in September 2023, failed to impress during his tenure. Poland were the first team knocked out of Euro 2024 after finishing bottom of their group.
His record stands at nine wins, five draws, and seven defeats from 21 matches.
“Being the national team coach was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour of my life,” he added.
Probierz thanked the players and said he would continue to support the team, calling it “our common national asset.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
