Poland manager Probierz resigns after falling out with star striker Lewandowski

 

Poland manager Probierz resigns after falling out with star striker Lewandowski Poland national team manager Michal Probierz has resigned just days after a public fallout with star striker Robert Lewandowski. The resignation came four days after Lewandowski stated he would no longer play for the national team while Probierz remained in charge. The 36-year-old striker expressed his disappointment with how the manager informed him of his replacement as team captain. According to Lewandowski, he received a brief call from Probierz while he was putting his children to bed, only to see a statement soon afterward on the Polish Football Association website confirming that Piotr Zielinski would take over the captaincy. The Barcelona forward described the incident as emotionally painful. In his resignation statement, Probierz said that stepping down was the best decision for the good of the national team. He also described managing Poland as the fulfillment of his professional dreams and the highest honor of his life. Probierz took over from Fernando Santos in 2023 and led Poland to the Euro 2024 finals, where they were the first team to be eliminated. His contract was originally set to run until the end of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The Polish Football Association thanked Probierz for his work and wished him success in his future career. Poland currently sits third in Group G of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with six points from three games, one point behind leaders Finland. Lewandowski missed Poland’s recent matches, a loss to Finland and a win over Moldova, citing both physical and mental exhaustion. Poland is scheduled to play the Netherlands on September 4 in their next World Cup qualifying match.

Robert Lewandowski’s refusal to play under manager Michał Probierz has led to Probierz’s resignation. The Barcelona star was reportedly deeply upset after receiving a brief call from Probierz informing him he was no longer captain a decision later made public via a federation statement. Piotr Zieliński was named the new captain. Lewandowski, Poland’s all-time top scorer, missed recent matches citing exhaustion, and declared he won’t return while Probierz remains in charge. Four days later, Probierz stepped down, calling it “the best decision for the good of the national team.” Poland now searches for a new coach as they continue their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.

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