Poland’s national football coach Michal Probierz has stepped down following a turbulent week marked by a public fallout with team captain Robert Lewandowski and a crucial loss in World Cup qualifying. The Polish Football Federation confirmed his resignation, which he described as a decision made “for the good of the national team.”
Probierz, who took over in September 2023, announced his departure shortly after Poland’s 2-1 defeat to Finland. The result saw Poland drop from the top of their European qualifying group. It also came days after Lewandowski declared he would not represent the country as long as Probierz remained in charge.
The 36-year-old striker had been left out of the squad for the recent international break, citing the need to rest. However, reports from Polish media revealed deeper issues. Lewandowski was reportedly frustrated after being stripped of the captaincy—a role he had held since 2014. On social media, he expressed a loss of trust in the coach and said his decision to step away was difficult but necessary.
Lewandowski, who debuted for Poland in 2008, remains the nation’s all-time top scorer with 85 goals in 158 appearances. Despite his absence, his influence on the team remains strong, and he expressed hope of returning to play again once the situation changes.
Probierz’s statement reflected both pride and disappointment. He called his time as coach the greatest honour of his career and thanked the players he worked with. Under his leadership, Poland reached the Euro 2024 finals but failed to advance beyond the group stage. In total, he managed 21 games, securing nine wins, five draws, and seven losses.
His exit marks another chapter in the ongoing drama surrounding Poland’s football team, with fans now waiting to see who will lead the squad into the next phase of their World Cup campaign.
