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Poland coach Sousa won’t be fired over Euro 2020: football chief

18.06.2021 07:40
Poland football manager Paulo Sousa will not be fired even if the national squad fails to make it past the group stage of the Euro 2020 tournament, the country’s football chief has said.
Poland manager Paulo Sousa.
Poland manager Paulo Sousa. Photo: PAP/Marcin Gadomski

Poland lost 1-2 to lower-ranked Slovakia in their first game at the European championships on Monday, crushing fans’ hopes and sparking fears of a quick, ignominious exit from the competition.

“For now, things aren’t working because we’re also missing some luck,” Zbigniew Boniek, head of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), told reporters.

He added: “I think we have a very smart, good and decent coach. That’s emphasised by everyone who works with him.”

Sousa, who hails from Portugal, was named the manager of the Polish national team in January. He replaced Pole Jerzy Brzęczek after Boniek complained of a “sense of malaise" among players.

Poland on Saturday take on Spain in the next stage of their Euro 2020 campaign. Many commentators predict the Poles will find the Spaniards, the winners of the 2010 World Cup, a tougher prospect than minnows Slovakia.

On June 23, Poland play Sweden, who drew 0-0 against Spain on Monday.

(pk/gs)

Source: PAP