Michal Probierz has announced his resignation as Poland head coach, days after a dispute with star striker Robert Lewandowski, Afrosport reports.
Probierz stripped the Barcelona striker of his position as team captain on the eve of Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Finland and named Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski as the new captain
Lewandowski reacted by saying he would no longer play for the national team as long as Probierz remains head coach. Poland went on to suffer a 2-1 defeat to Finland.
“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,” he said in a statement.
“Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life.”
Meanwhile, the Polish Football Association in their own statement said: “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.”
Oświadczenie selekcjonera Michała Probierza
– Doszedłem do wniosku, że w obecnej sytuacji najlepszą decyzją dla dobra drużyny narodowej będzie moja rezygnacja ze stanowiska selekcjonera. Pełnienie tej funkcji było spełnieniem moich zawodowych marzeń i największym życiowym… pic.twitter.com/wbP7BDwbjD
— PZPN (@pzpn_pl) June 12, 2025
Probierz took over from Fernando Santos in 2023 with his contract running until the end of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
He took the team to Euro 2024 championship in Germany, but were the first side to be eliminated from the tournament.
