Football 39n3s
Poland Manager Michał Probierz Steps Down Following Robert Lewandowski Dispute 2v3o
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished15 hours ago on June 12, 2025
Poland manager Michał Probierz has resigned from his role with the national team following a dispute with Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski.
Poland Manager Michał Probierz Resigns After Lewandowski Row 5u6vy
Following a public fallout with star striker Robert Lewandowski, Poland manager Michał Probierz has stepped down.
The 52-year-old spent close to two years at the helm, having taken over from Portuguese boss Fernando Santos in September 2023, and was in charge for their underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign.
He boasted a record of nine wins, five draws and seven defeats across his 21 matches as manager.
Their most recent World Cup qualifying outing ended in a 2-1 defeat to Group G leaders Finland on Tuesday. The result leaves them in third place in the group, level on points with the Netherlands and a point behind Finland.
Probierz’s decision to resign comes just days after Lewandowski announced he’d no longer play for the national team so long as he was in charge after the Barcelona star was stripped of the Poland captaincy.
Lewandowski revealed that he had received a short phone call from Probierz as he was putting his children to bed, informing him that Piotr Zielinski would be replacing him as captain, and a statement confirming the decision appeared on the Polish Football Association (PZPN) website shortly after.
“Taking into 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,” Lewandowski wrote.
“I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the best fans in the world.”
The 36-year-old missed the most recent international camp, citing physical and mental exhaustion after a long season.
Probierz Steps Down As Poland Boss: Statement 2b3n3y
In a statement announcing his resignation, Probierz wrote: “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.
“Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life.”
He continued: “Thank you, of course, to all the footballers I have had the pleasure of meeting along the way.
“I will keep my fingers crossed for all of you, because the national team is our common national asset.”
The PZPN added: “The Polish Football Association would like to thank selector Michal Probierz very much for his cooperation and involvement in leading the national team, wishing him success in his further career.”
Lewandowski, who has scored a record 85 goals in a record 158 appearances for Poland since making his debut back in 2008, is yet to confirm if he will return to the national team.
Poland are next in action on 4 September away at the Netherlands in World Cup qualifying.