Probierz resigns as Poland coach after dispute with Lewandowski

Poland coach Michal Probierz resigned Thursday following a row over his decision to replace the country's record goal scorer Robert Lewandowski as captain.

Lewandowski, 36, said Sunday he would no longer play for the national team with Probierz at the helm, and told a Polish news site on Monday he was hurt by the way the coach had told him he was being replaced with Piotr Zielinski.

The Barcelona forward said he had received a short call from Probierz just as he was putting his children to bed, and that a statement about him losing the captaincy appeared soon after on the Polish Football Association (PZPN) website.

"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," Probierz said in a statement. "Performing this function was the fulfillment of my professional dreams and the greatest honor in my life."

Probierz took over from Portuguese Fernando Santos as Poland coach in 2023, taking them to UEFA European Championship in 2024 where his side was the first team to be eliminated. His contract was due to expire at the end of the qualifying period for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Poland are third in Group G of the 2026 qualifiers with six points from three matches, a point behind group leaders Finland. They will next visit the Netherlands in the World Cup qualifiers on September 4.