Player power can exist in any sport. However, the primary sport that this exists is football. The term refers to decisions being made as a result of a player's dissatisfication with a particular issue. The issue, rather than the player, is dealt with. The player is usually a senior head within the squad. Player power has come to full use lately with the Poland national team.
Poland manager, Michal Probierz, resigned this past Thursday following a row over his decision to replace the country's record goal scorer, Robert Lewandowski, as captain.
Last Sunday, Lewandowski, 36, said that he would no longer play for the national team with Probierz at the helm and told a Polish news site last Monday that he was hurt by the way the manager 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.
The frontman said: "Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach, I have decided to resign from playing for the Poland national team for as long as he remains in charge. I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the best fans in the world."
"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."
Lewandowski claimed Probierz had 'bowed to media pressure' and accused Poland's head coach of breaking agreements. Poland's record goalscorer said he had agreed with Probierz not to attend their training camp ahead of a friendly with Moldova on 6 June, allowing him to get rest.
Lewandowski said he had informed only Poland's head coach that he would attend the match to surprise Kamil Grosicki, who was making his 95th and final appearance for the national team, only for the news to be leaked.
Probierz took over from Portuguese, Fernando Santos, as Poland manager in 2023, taking them to Euro 2024 where his side were the first team to be eliminated. His contract was due to expire at the end of the qualifying period for the 2026 World Cup.
Probierz claimed Lewandowski had asked for the Polish FA to say he had resigned the captaincy rather than have the honour stripped from him, a request he rejected.
A report from Polish outlet, Onet, had suggested that the rest of the playing squad had 'already had enough of his swagger' and that had the captaincy been decided by popular vote, it wouldn't have ended up with Lewandowski.
Things seem to have come to a head in March when Poland laboured to a 2-0 win over minnows Malta with Lewandowski on the bench due to his fitness.
Reports claim he would however 'storm into the locker room' after the game and berate both players and coaching staff, before publicly voicing his criticisms; stating he would not 'sugarcoat' the state of play.
He had criticised the lack of young players in the squad at the time, hinting that there were perhaps either no pathways for youngsters or not enough quality was coming through from the youth teams to improve the side going forward.
Poland are third in Group G of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and sit outside of the automatic qualification spots with six points from three matches, a point behind group leaders Finland.
"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," PZPN said.
Lewandowski, who has scored 85 goals for his country in a record 158 appearances, missed Poland's 2-1 defeat by Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday as well as their 2-0 win over Moldova in a friendly on Friday.
The President of the Polish Football Association, Cezary Kulesza, has confirmed his intention to hold talks with Robert Lewandowski following the striker’s decision to step away from international duty while Michal Probierz remains in charge of the national team.
Speaking to Przegląd Sportowy (h/t AS), Kulesza said he hopes to meet with both Lewandowski and Probierz at the same time in an effort to resolve the growing tensions. “There will be a meeting with Robert Lewandowski. If possible, it will involve all three of us—me, the coach, and Robert."
"At the moment, we have a bit of time since there are no matches scheduled in the coming week,”"said Kulesza.
In a candid interview last weekend, Lewandowski accused Probierz of breaking their personal agreement and said he felt betrayed. "He betrayed my trust," the Barcelona forward stated, adding, "His behaviour surprised me."
Despite the controversy, Kulesza confirmed he has yet to speak directly with any of the players about the situation and dismissed any immediate plans to change the coaching staff. "There is no discussion at this moment about finding a new manager,” he clarified.
With tensions high and qualification hopes in jeopardy, the upcoming talks could prove critical for both Lewandowski’s international future and the direction of Poland’s national team.
Lewandowski has lost the support of his Poland team-mates following a public fallout with head coach, Michal Probierz, according to Przeglad Sportowy. The Barcelona striker declared he won't feature for the national team under the current boss after being stripped of his candidacy; bringing an end to his national team career. Sources close to the squad claim the decision was met with applause and relief by several players and earned new respect for the manager.
Lewandowski's strained relationship with the squad had reportedly deteriorated over time, with multiple internal issues affecting trust. The tension intensified in March after a 2-0 win against Malta. Lewandowski is said to have stormed into the locker room and berated the coaching staff and his team-mates, later going public with his criticism. Other players were reportedly already angry at him, feeling he had put Barcelona ahead of the national team before the game.
I've never been a fan of player power. It's rather unethical for a, "subordinate" having the final say over the main, "boss." Player power should cease to exist. Lewandowski isn't getting any younger. He should allow the younger players to enter the fray. There will come a time when he has to step aside for someone else.
To me, the former manager was doing the right thing. He was slowly phasing the player out and giving others the opportunity to shine. Fans can't depend on a single player forever.
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