Poland: Paulo Sousa is the new head coach of the Polish national team!

The Polish Football Association (PZPN) held a press conference on Thursday at 3pm. The main topics were the background of head coach Jerzy Brzeczek's dismissal in the beginning of the week and the appointment of his successor. Based on Polish press reports, we also reported on Wednesday that Paulo Sousa, who also led Videoton in the past, was among the best candidates for the position.

However, the association's president Zbigniew Boniek who held the conference spoke at length about Brzeczek's leave and then gave the virtually attending journalists the opportunity to ask questions.

“I met with Brzeczek on Monday and let him know that we go separate ways. It was a difficult decision because I admit his willpower, commitment, and ambition, but despite the results, the team didn't play well. Before the European Championships, I felt that the team couldn't move forward, so a change was needed. I'm truly sorry, and even though I was satisfied with his work, we wouldn't have achieved anything with Brzeczek,” Boniek said.

When asked whether he had shared his decision with others to let Brzeczek go, the president gave a quite interesting answer.

“The footballers are in the national team to play football, and not to worry about the captain's future. At the same time, I called Robert Lewandowski and informed him before telling Brzeczek the decision,” said the president who also stated that the new coach will have enough time to prepare the national team. The expectation is that he will advance the team from the group stages and will lead them to the World Cup.

In the second part of the conference, it was revealed who would take over the vacated position.

“I decided relatively quickly that Brzeckek's predecessor Nawalka wouldn't return, it also soon became clear that I will not ask for a Polish trainer. Working for the national team is not that interesting for European top coaches, and coaches like Sarri, Capello and Allegri are in the joke category. I've received many offers from different agents, and the person I chose convinced me how much he knows about Polish footballers, Polish football in general, and that surprised me,” said Boniek. Then, suddenly, a familiar face appeared on the screen: Paulo Sousa checked in on a pre-recorded video and announced with a big smile that he will oversee the Polish national team!

It's also revealed that Sousa's staff would consist of four international trained people, and it's confirmed that the Portuguese professional's contract is valid until the end of the World Cup qualifiers.

The Polish national team's next match will be the World Cup qualifiers match against Hungary in Budapest. Sousa's debut as the senior team's coach will happen in a familiar environment as he was Videoton's trainer for 1.5 years from June 2011 to January 2013.

EURO 2020 QUALIFIERS
Group I's schedule
Round 1, March 25, Thursday
8.45pm: Hungary – Poland
8.45pm: England – San Marino
8.45pm: Andorra – Albania

Round 2, March 28, Sunday
6pm: Albania – England
8.45pm: San Marino – Hungary
8.45pm: Poland - Andorra

Round 3, March 31, Wednesday
8.45pm: Andorra – Hungary
8.45pm: England – Poland
8.45pm: San Marino - Albania

Round 4, September 2, Thursday
8.45pm: Hungary – England
8.45pm: Andorra – San Marino
8.45pm: Poland - Albania

Round 5, September 5, Sunday
6pm: Albania – Hungary
6pm: England – Andorra
8.45pm: San Marino – Poland

Round 6, September 8, Wednesday
8.45pm: Hungary – Andorra
8.45pm: Poland – England
8.45pm: Albania – San Marino

Round 7, October 9, Saturday
8.45pm: Hungary – Albania
8.45pm: Andorra – England
8.45pm: Poland – San Marino

Round 8, October 12, Tuesday
8.45pm: England – Hungary
8.45pm: San Marino – Andorra
8.45pm: Albania – Poland

Round 9, November 12, Friday
8.45pm: Hungary – San Marino
8.45pm: Andorra – Poland
8.45pm: England – Albania

Round 10, November 15, Monday
8.45pm: Poland – Hungary
8.45pm: San Marino – England
8.45pm: Albania - Andorra

Translated by Vanda Orosz