Poland Coach Michał Probierz Resigns After Lewandowski Issues Ultimatum

‎Poland’s manager, Michał Probierz, resigned on Thursday, four days after Robert Lewandowski announced he would no longer play for the national team under him.

‎Lewandowski, the 36-year-old Barcelona striker, said his trust had been betrayed. He also expressed feeling very hurt by how Probierz told him he was being replaced as captain.

‎On Monday, Lewandowski, Poland’s all-time top scorer, revealed that he received a brief phone call from Probierz while he was putting his children to bed.

‎Shortly after, a statement about him losing the captaincy was published on the Polish Football Association’s website.

‎The 36-year-old striker, who has scored 85 goals in 158 appearances for Poland, is not currently part of his national team’s squad for the ongoing international matches.

‎A statement from the Polish FA, external on Sunday said Probierz had “personally informed Robert Lewandowski, the entire team and the training staff of his decision” to appoint Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski as the new captain.

‎Following this decision, Barcelona’s Lewandowski wrote on social media, “Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach, I have decided to resign from playing for the Poland national team for as long as he remains in charge.

‎”I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the best fans in the world.”

‎Probierz decided to replace Lewandowski as captain with midfielder Piotr Zielinski.

‎”I have concluded 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 said in a statement.

‎”Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life.”

‎Poland is currently third in Group G of the European qualifiers and faces a challenging path to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

‎The Netherlands are in second place with the same number of points but have one game in hand.

‎Finland leads the group with one more point and has played one additional match, securing their spot in the direct qualification and playoff positions.