Probierz Resigns from Poland After Conflict with Lewandowski

Michal Probierz Leaves Poland’s Technical Direction After Controversy with Lewandowski

The Polish national team coach, Michal Probierz, submitted his resignation this Thursday, following a controversy generated by his decision to relieve Robert Lewandowski, the country’s all-time top scorer, of his role as captain. Lewandowski, 36, announced on Sunday that he would no longer play for the national team while Probierz was in charge. The Barcelona striker expressed his disappointment at the way the coach communicated his replacement by Piotr Zielinski. The Barcelona striker recounted that he received a brief call from Probierz just as he was putting his children to bed, and shortly after, a statement appeared on the website of the Polish Football Association (PZPN) informing about the loss of the captaincy. I have come to the conclusion that, in the current situation, the best decision for the good of the national team is my resignation from the position of coach. Probierz took over in 2023, succeeding the Portuguese Fernando Santos, and led Poland to Euro 2024, where the team was the first to be eliminated. His contract was due to expire at the end of the qualifying phase for the 2026 World Cup.

Poland is in third place in Group G of the 2026 qualifiers, with six points in three matches, one point behind the group leader, Finland. The PZPN thanked Michal Probierz for his collaboration and dedication at the head of the national team, wishing him success in his future career. Lewandowski, who has scored 85 goals in 158 appearances for his country, missed Poland’s 2-1 defeat to Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, as well as the 2-0 victory over Moldova in a friendly on Friday. The former Bayern Munich striker cited physical and mental exhaustion after a long season as the reason for his absence. Poland’s next match is against the Netherlands in the World Cup qualifiers on September 4th.