New Poland manager comments on Robert Lewandowski situation – ‘A mistake was made’ | OneFootball

A soap opera in the Polish national team earlier this year saw manager Michal Probierz get sacked from his position owing to a controversy involving team captain and Barcelona superstar Robert Lewandowski.

The former coach, after all, stripped the striker of his captaincy after he opted out of international duty in June, citing fatigue and the need for rest given his age.

That, however, did not go down well as the Barcelona star immediately announced he would not make himself available for the national team as long as Probierz was head coach.

The controversy that erupted, eventually, ended in the coach stepping down, but Lewandowski is yet to clarify if he will return to play for his country once more.

A call for Lewandowski

Speaking to the media after his appointment as the new Polish national team manager, Jan Urban made his best attempt to undo the damage caused by his predecessor and coerce the Barcelona star into reconsidering a return on the international stage.

“For me, Lewandowski is a striker who, if you believe him a chance, will execute his job perfectly,” he began (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

Could Lewandowski return to the Poland national team? (Photo by Rafal Oleksiewicz/Getty Images)

“In my opinion, a mistake was made by Probierz – the former coach, by stripping him of the captain’s armband,” he added.

Urban then went on to relay how the striker was fundamental to his team’s plans and why it was critical he turned his decision around.

“The figure of Robert is very important for our team.”

“Age? I’m sorry, but the numbers he gets are excellent and he does it in the Spanish league, not in Saudi Arabia,” he added when asked about Lewandowski’s age.

While the Barcelona striker is indeed 36, his numbers from last season stand as testament to the quality and excellence he continues to provide on the field.

With the next FIFA World Cup just around the corner, and Poland still in contention for a spot, the Barcelona star could now opt to make a U-turn to return to the national team setup and help his side to the prestigious event.

After all, ending his international career after the next World Cup will only be poetic.