Poland Manager Probierz Resigns After Lewandowski Captaincy Dispute

Poland's national football team manager Michal Probierz resigned following a public fallout with star striker Robert Lewandowski, who was stripped of the captaincy and replaced by Piotr Zielinski. Lewandowski, Poland's all-time top scorer, expressed his decision to quit the national team while Probierz cited the situation as detrimental to the squad's interests and described his resignation as the best decision for the national team. The captaincy change was poorly communicated to Lewandowski, who was informed via a brief phone call, leaving him feeling hurt and disappointed. Probierz, who had been in charge since September 2023, acknowledged the role as the greatest honor of his career but stepped down after Poland's disappointing performance, including finishing bottom of their Euro 2024 group. The Polish Football Association thanked Probierz for his service, while Lewandowski missed recent matches citing physical and mental exhaustion. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within the team just as Poland competes in World Cup qualifiers.