Poland’s national team has been rocked by the resignation of head coach Michal Probierz, who stepped down amid controversy involving star striker Robert Lewandowski.
The decision comes shortly after Lewandowski declared he would no longer represent Poland under Probierz’s leadership.
Tensions rose when Probierz stripped Lewandowski of the captaincy and handed the armband to Piotr Zielinski. This move resulted in the Barcelona striker’s shock international retirement. He had a remarkable career tally of 85 goals in 158 appearances for his country.
In addition to the captaincy dispute, Poland’s dismal start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign intensified the pressure on Probierz.
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The team’s recent 2-1 defeat to Finland left them third in Group B with six points from three matches. Meanwhile, rivals the Netherlands also have six points but with a game in hand, as Finland top the standings with seven points from four outings.
Probierz admitted in his resignation statement that stepping down was the best decision for the national team’s stability. He acknowledged that leading Poland was the greatest honour of his coaching career. However, he stated that the current crisis made his position untenable.
Notably, Probierz had only been in charge since September 2023 but endured a rocky tenure. His reign included Poland’s disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, where they finished bottom of their group and became the first team to exit the tournament.
During his time as manager, Probierz oversaw 21 matches, recording nine wins, five draws, and seven defeats. Despite these struggles, he expressed gratitude to the players and coaching staff, wishing them success in future challenges.
Tags: Michal Probierz, Robert Lewandowski, World Cup qualification, Poland, Barcelona, #Culers.
