New Poland coach Urban wants Lewandowski back in the squad
Berlin
New Poland national team coach Jan Urban wants to bring star striker Robert Lewandowski back to the squad.
'At the moment, we can't afford not to have Robert in the national team,' he said in an interview with the Polish football federation (PZPN) published late on Wednesday.
Urban added that he's ready to hold talks with the Barcelona striker.
Lewandowski, who has 85 goals in 158 caps, said last month he would not play for the national team as long as previous helmsman Michal Probierz was in charge after the coach stripped him of the captaincy.
Probierz eventually resigned after Poland lost a World Cup qualifier in Finland without Lewandowski, who was not part of the squad because he needed rest after a long season with Barcelona.
The onet.pl portal said that Lewandowski was ready to return under Urban but he is yet to confirm that.
Urban said that he wants to solve the team's problems through conversation.
'That's how I've always done it. I want to hear one, two and three sides (of a story),' he said.
The coach didn't promise Lewandowski that he would receive the captain's armband again. However, the issue should be clarified before the next World Cup qualifier match against the Netherlands on September 4.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Pressure? What pressure? Spain eves eye more history in Euro final
dpa Basel, Switzerland World champions Spain go into Sunday's Euro 2025 final with England looking to create more history and say their love for the game means there is no extra pressure. The Spanish beat England 1-0 in the World Cup final in Sydney two years ago and they meet again in Basel with the Lionesses this time defending Euro champions. 'I don't think about pressure,' coach Montse Tomé told a news conference on Saturday. 'I think during the whole tournament we have been writing history - getting to semis and the final for the first time, beating Germany for the first time. We have been accomplishing objectives and that's the reason we're here.' They two sides have met twice this year in the Nations League, with one win each. England meanwhile have won the quarter- and semi-finals in Switzerland with late comebacks. 'They showed in this tournament that even if they don't play well they win,' added Tomé, whose squad have no fitness concerns. 'It's a final. We know it's a complicated game against a big national team and the current champion. We played twice against them this year, we know it will be hard. For the team, I have 23 players.' Spain captain Irene Paredes agreed with her coach about a lack of pressure. 'I said that for my favourites, England were there. Both teams deserve the final,' she said. 'We don't like the idea of being favourites. We know what it takes to be here, what we suffered. 'We are a team who don't see this game as a pressure but as an opportunity to continue writing history, do something big and to show ourselves and let people enjoy.' Spain's World Cup win is remembered internationally because of the kiss scandal involving former Spanish FA head Luis Rubiales. The captain said they hope this final is remembered for football. 'Since 2023 we made big steps forwards. This idea (that women don't belong in football) is disappearing from society,' Paredes remarked. 'I still believe we have to continue opening doors to normalize situations which are more and more normal. We broke many obstacles, we are references for boys and girls in society but we still have things to do.'
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Man United will not let players go cheaply: Amorim
PA Media/dpa London Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim insists the club will not sell unwanted players on the cheap and he is prepared to welcome them back into the fold if necessary. Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia were left out of the tour of the United States - Marcus Rashford subsequently went on loan to Barcelona - and the so-called 'bomb squad' have been training at the club's Carrington complex. United's transfer dealings have been widely criticised in recent seasons and Amorim said chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox would not be taken advantage of just to get rid of those surplus to requirements. 'Some players have to find a new place to have more space in the team and others clearly show they want a new challenge and want new teams,' Amorim told a press conference ahead of the the Premier League Summer Series game against West Ham on Saturday. 'We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide. If we reach a point where they have to join the team, they will join the team because they are our players. 'I know for a fact that these people, Omar and Jason, and the club have a number (price) for these players. If they don't reach that, they will be Manchester United players, no doubt about that. 'I understand clubs are maybe waiting for the last minute, but they can have a surprise and I'm ready. I'm ready to receive the players. 'They have more competition - if you want to play in the World Cup you need to play, so I'm really happy with that because I have more options. If they have to fight each other to play, for me it is perfect.' United have spent about £130million on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon but are still in the market for a defensive midfielder and a striker. However, previous mis-steps on transfers mean United are being more circumspect this summer. 'At the moment, our club needs to be really careful when we sign a player,' added Amorim. 'So if we have to start the season with this squad, I'm happy because all the players that are here want to be here - and that for me is the most important thing.'
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
England's James will be fit for final: Wiegman
PA Media/dpa Basel, Switzerland England forward Lauren James will be available for the Euro 2025 final with Spain in Basel, manager Sarina Wiegman has confirmed. The forward was forced off at half-time of the Lionesses' extra-time semi-final comeback over Italy with an ankle issue, but trained with the team in Zurich on Saturday before Sunday's title decider in Basel. James, like the other members of Wiegman's full 23-player squad who trained, still needs to come through recovery, but her boss is optimistic the she will be available to take on the World Cup holders. Wiegman said: 'We had 23 players on the pitch today and everyone came through, so if everyone recovers well then we have 23 players available for tomorrow. 'I think we have many players that can impact, and we know that (James) can have an impact too, so that will be nice.' Captain Leah Williamson added: 'I think we have a team of talented players. Lauren brings something slightly different, just like the others, so obviously having that available is best-case scenario for us.' Williamson survived her own injury scare in Switzerland when she rolled her ankle in extra time of their spectacular quarter-final, penalty-shootout comeback against Sweden, but returned for their semi-final. She said: 'I can speak for every single member of the squad when I say we will play as long as we get the green light, we would play through absolutely anything to be involved at this stage. 'My ankle is great. My mum actually rolled her ankle a couple of days ago, so she's taken all the attention away from me now. 'But no, I had a scare. Obviously I want to be involved, and I want to be available to help the team any way they need me. But obviously played that game, the semi-final and ready to go.' Williamson missed out on the World Cup after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in April 2023, and was forced to watch their loss to Spain - in England's first final at a global showpiece - from the stands. Asked about the importance of having her skipper free to face Spain, Wiegman added: 'Of course, I'm very happy with that, as I am very happy that we have 23 players available tomorrow. 'And yeah, Leah has a big role in the team, so it's really nice to have her on the pitch.'
