We can kick, but mainly ourselves – that is, as a Pole is a Pole to a football player

I don’t envy coach Michał Probierz. He has just found himself in the place where every subsequent coach of the Polish national team usually finds himself. A kind of purgatory. The problem, however, is that instead of relief, it ends with an autumn-winter breakup with the Polish Football Association.

Since Leo Beenhakker, only twice have Polish national team coaches said goodbye to their jobs at a time other than from September to the end of the year. Franciszek Smuda went out with a bang after his spectacular defeat at Euro 2012 in July, and the second case was Adam Nawałka. Also after a failed event, specifically the 2018 World Cup, but despite everything – with my head held high. This is probably the only such case, some – sorry for the term, Mr. Adam – error in the system. The rest were, in different circumstances, but consistently replaced by new ideas from the Polish Football Association. Of course, better each time, at least in principle.

National football pride, or a constantly repeating scenario

According to Probierz, the disaster related to the Polish national football team was hanging in the air. While the beginning of the term of office of the coach appointed by Cezary Kulesza was at least decent in terms of results, the second part of the seventeen matches played was a return to nationwide sadness. The scenario is very simple, well known for many years. At the beginning there is a fan’s, even journalistic or expert’s, infatuation. After a few matches, tournament verification takes place, because Polish players did not and do not have any problems with qualifying for large events.

However, disappointment comes when Poland appears at the table with the rest of the continent or the whole world. Suddenly we are no longer as strong as we thought. Worse, we are not even solid, with the exception of Nawałka in 2016. I would again consider this case in terms of some combination of circumstances that are difficult to explain. It is possible that they were simply better players and coaches.

However, in order not to get too angry, I will close the mentioned scenario with the so-called witch hunts. You don’t necessarily have to go to Chorzów, the famous “Witches’ Cauldron”, to witness absurd mudslinging. Where’s the absurdity? Please, let’s look at each and everyone’s selection ideas.

The experienced ones are angry because they are too old. The young ones are too young and inexperienced, so it would be best to find someone in between. And it turns out that there are none because they don’t play. And if they don’t play, you have to look for others. Because if you call up those who don’t play, you can’t expect them to play well. But it’s a national team, so you have to be demanding. So what? Simple, it’s the coach’s fault.

Nobody remembers the mentioned infatuation, and the crisis is further deepened by some side scandals that become almost as important as the points in the table. This is not only a photo of Piotr Zieliński or Nicola Zalewski with Cristiano Ronaldo. Participation in advertisements during Nawałka’s time, of course, why not. Or more serious scandals, such as a bonus from the Prime Minister or the number 711…

Well, I could probably do that until tomorrow.

The Polish national team was relegated to division B, which is where it belongs

The most paradoxical thing, however, is that mining is quite good in Poland. Maybe there is no kicking when lying down, at least proverbially, but in the context of the national team, kicks are sent almost all the time.

Whenever the international break approaches, I notice an increased interest in the nation’s defeat. Because it’s best to complain to yourself in a national circle. Oh, even at PGE Narodowy, why?

It is not the case that victories are accepted with sadness, because there is no point in going to extremes. However, when – the most recent example – in a packed Warsaw giant, the Scottish fans, who are in a clear minority, can be heard better (even on TV), well, forgive me, dear ones present, but it has an eloquent message. Something isn’t right here and that’s putting it mildly.

Whistling after defeat? Bile in online comments? Dismissal of coach Probierz in the media? Or maybe looking for new Polish talents, or those who, if absent, would certainly change the game and the results of the national team? Someone once rightly noticed that usually the winners are those who do not play in the matches of the Polish national team. It was, is and probably will be until good results return.

After four seasons in the A division of the Nations League, regardless of the elimination consequences (I emphasize), I will not miss her absence from the national team. It would be good to be consistent for once. If we want to change the way we play or introduce new, young players, it would be worth taking a step back, especially in the context of division B. This year’s edition included teams such as: Austria, Wales, Ukraine, Czech Republic, England and Türkiye.

Somehow I am not convinced that matches with such rivals would cause a sudden stop in development or attempts at various changes in the Polish team. Especially since in our case there are “several shortcomings”, to quote a classic.

Regardless of whether Touchstone remains the coach or Mr. Cezary decides otherwise, the national team will continue to play. Which is worth remembering not only because of the upcoming fan kicks. But also bearing in mind that football – like other team sports – is a process. And sometimes the fish rots from the head, regardless of those who perform their tasks.

Additionally, since in over a hundred years of history we have only had less than two decades in which we belonged to the world football elite, this is probably not a coincidence. Therefore, if we want to return to it one day, let us humbly choose the stairs and not the elevator.