Total crisis in Poland: Coach Probierz resigned after a dispute with Robert Lewandowski

Poland's national team is going through one of the worst internal crises in its recent history, following the unexpected resignation of Michal Probierz as the team's coach. The coach, who had taken over on September 20, 2023, submitted his resignation after a series of poor results and a conflict with Robert Lewandowski, the squad's star player.

The departure was confirmed this Thursday through an official statement issued by the Polish Football Federation. "Best decision for the good of the national team," Probierz stated, referring to the tense situation that had been brewing behind closed doors for weeks. Curiously, after the 2-1 defeat against Finland in Helsinki, the coach had stated that he did not intend to resign: "I know how to get out of the crisis," he had said at a press conference.

That defeat not only impacted the team's World Cup qualification hopes, but it also exposed a rift within the locker room. The day before the match, Probierz decided to strip Robert Lewandowski of the captaincy, the most prominent figure in Polish football, leader in appearances (158) and goals (85) for the national team. He did it over the phone, a gesture that was poorly received by the striker's inner circle.

The Federation reported that the coach communicated his decision to Lewandowski, the squad, and the coaching staff. The FC Barcelona player's response was immediate and forceful: "Considering the circumstances and the loss of confidence in the coach of the Polish national team, I have decided to step down from playing for the national team as long as he is the coach. I hope I can play again for the best fans in the world," he posted on X and Instagram.

This episode worsened a relationship that was already deteriorating. According to sources close to the team, tensions between the coaching staff and part of the locker room with Lewandowski had been frequent since the beginning of the cycle. The removal of the armband and the striker's reaction were the last straw.

In sporting terms, Probierz's numbers were not disastrous, but they were insufficient to sustain his tenure. He managed 21 matches, with a record of 9 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, with 34 goals for and 29 against. However, the performance failed to ease the internal unrest or set the course toward qualification.

Now, with five qualifying matches and a friendly to be played before the end of the year, the Polish Federation faces a new challenge: finding a replacement who can stabilize the squad and facilitate Lewandowski's return, a key figure both on and off the field.