Poland manager Michal Probierz resigned on Thursday, just four days after star striker Robert Lewandowski declared he would no longer play for the national team under his leadership.
The 36-year-old Barcelona forward, Poland’s all-time top scorer, said his trust had been deeply damaged by how Probierz handled his removal as team captain. According to Lewandowski, he received a brief phone call from the coach while putting his children to bed—only to find a public announcement of the change posted shortly afterward on the Polish Football Association’s website.
Probierz had chosen midfielder Piotr Zielinski to take over the captain’s armband.
“In the current situation, I believe the best decision for the good of the national team is to step down,” Probierz said in a statement. “Leading this team has been the greatest honour of my life and the fulfilment of a professional dream.”
His resignation comes just days ahead of Poland’s Euro 2024 campaign, adding uncertainty to the team’s tournament preparations.
