Polish national team manager Michal Probierz resigned after a dispute with star scorer Robert Lewandowski over a captaincy change.
Probierz, who took over in September 2023, resigned after Lewandowski refused to play under him. The coach’s decision to remove the 36-year-old Barcelona attacker as captain and replace him with midfielder Piotr Zielinski caused the argument.
Lewandowski, Poland’s all-time leading scorer with 85 goals in 158 games, criticized the change’s communication. He said Probierz called him briefly as he was putting his kids to bed to advise him of the decision.
After that, the Polish Football Association (PZPN) announced, leaving the veteran striker “hurt and disappointed.”
Probierz resigned to focus national team goals.
“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,” Probierz.
“Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life,” said he.
Poland finished last at UEFA Euro 2024, ending Probierz’s term. Poland will play the Netherlands in a World Cup qualification on September 4.
