Poland manager Probierz resigns after row with Lewandowski
Poland manager Michal Probierz resigned from his position on Thursday, four days after star striker Robert Lewandowski said he will no longer play for the national team under him.
The 36-year-old Barcelona striker said his trust had been betrayed and he was very hurt by the way Probierz told him he was being replaced as team captain.
Lewandowski, Poland's record goal-scorer, said on Monday that he received a short call from Probierz as he was putting his children to sleep and that a statement about him losing the captaincy appeared soon after on the Polish Football Association website.
Probierz decided to replace Lewandowski as captain with midfielder Piotr Zielinski.
"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 fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life." REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
San Francisco's Allen hits record 19 sixes in MLC season opener
Cricket - IT20 International - England v New Zealand - Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, Britain - September 3, 2023 New Zealand's Finn Allen in action as he hits a six off the bowling of England's Chris Jordan Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo REUTERS San Francisco Unicorns opener Finn Allen smashed a record 19 sixes in his incendiary 151 off 51 balls against defending champions Washington Freedom in the opening match of this year's Major League Cricket (MLC) on Thursday. Allen's knock was the Twenty20 league's highest individual score since its 2023 debut season, while his six-hitting display passed the previous mark of 18 in a T20 match held by West Indian Chris Gayle and Estonian Sahil Chauhan. The Unicorns amassed 269-5, an MLC team record, with Allen taking 34 balls to bring up his 100 against a bowling attack that included New Zealand compatriots Bean Sears, Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips. Phillips took a catch at long on to dismiss the 26-year-old opener off Mitchell Owen's bowling in the 18th over of the innings. Freedom, led by Australian Glenn Maxwell, were all out for 146 in 13.1 overs in reply, suffering a comprehensive 123-runs defeat. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Pulisic says questions about his commitment to national team 'way out of line'
Mar 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; United States of America forward Christian Pulisic (10) kicks th eblal past Canada midfielder Ismael Kone (8) in the first half during the Concacaf Nations League third place match at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images/File Photo REUTERS Pulisic says questions about his commitment to national team 'way out of line' United States winger Christian Pulisic has defended his decision to skip the CONCACAF Gold Cup and said those questioning his commitment to the national team were "way out of line". Pulisic, who played 50 games for AC Milan in the recently-concluded season, said taking time to rest and recover was the right call for him and the team with the World Cup coming to the U.S., Mexico and Canada next year. Yunus Musah and Antonee Robinson are also skipping the June 14 to July 6 Gold Cup despite not being injured, according to USA Today. Former U.S. stalwarts Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas were among those criticising players who decided to skip the tournament and their comments did not sit well with Pulisic. "When it comes to those guys, it is tough because I looked up to those guys growing up, some of these guys were my idols, and I respect them so much as players," the 26-year-old told CBS Sports podcast on Thursday. "It's tough especially when some of them privately, the way they talk to me and clearly want to show support and be a friend and then they say something different publicly. "Of all things, you can talk about my performances, but to question my commitment to the national team, in my opinion that's way out of line." The U.S. suffered a fourth straight defeat on Tuesday when they lost 4-0 at home against Switzerland in a friendly. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Grand Slam Track cancels final meet of 2025 debut season
FILE PHOTO: May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Alison Dos Santos (BRA), left, Caleb Dean (USA), center, and Trevor Bassitt (USA) run in the 400m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images/File Photo REUTERS NEW YORK - Grand Slam Track cancelled its Los Angeles meet on Thursday as the organisers brought the debut season of the novel athletics circuit to an abrupt end after three events. The Michael Johnson-fronted track series lured in top talent with super-sized prize money but saw poor attendance at its kick-off meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, and later cut its third meet in Philadelphia from three to two days. "The decision to conclude the inaugural Grand Slam Track season is not taken lightly, but one rooted in a belief that we have successfully achieved the objectives we set out to in this pilot season," Johnson said in a statement. "As we've said all along, we were going to have learnings, make adjustments, and continue to improve. Sometimes we have to make moves that aren't comfortable, but what's most important is the future and sustainability of the league. "The global economic landscape has shifted dramatically in the past year, and this business decision has been made to ensure our long-term stability ..." The economics of the deal with Drake Stadium in Los Angeles was the motivating factor in cancelling what was intended to be the final meet of the year, Grand Slam Track sources told Reuters. Organisers have offered full refunds to any fans who had bought tickets to the June 28-29 Los Angeles meeting and Johnson said the series would return in 2026. "Our attention is now on 2026, with our eyes set on continuing to deliver the best-in-class storytelling, content, and competition," the four-times Olympic champion added. "We are committed to calling Los Angeles home, and look forward to hosting a Slam in LA as part of the 2026 season." Grand Slam was announced ahead of the 2024 Paris Games amid mounting concerns over athlete pay, as World Athletics for the first time paid $50,000 to gold medal winners in a controversial move that bucked 128 years of Olympic tradition. With a whopping $12.6 million in total prize money across what was set to be four meets, Johnson's start-up caught the attention of track's established circuits, as the long-time standard-bearer Diamond League added more to its prize pot. Sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden were awarded the Grand Slam Track Racers of the Year, the statement added. Jefferson-Wooden, who like Bednarek was undefeated over the three meets, said she had no regrets about taking part. "Change is not always easy or accepted, and I'm happy that Michael Johnson found a way to take a leap of faith and build something for the future of our sport," she said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
