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Poland parts ways with football boss Paulo Sousa

30.12.2021 07:00
Poland’s football association (PZPN) has terminated the contract of national team manager Paulo Sousa, with the Portuguese set to pay an agreed sum of compensation for his departure, officials have announced. 
Polands football governing body PZPN says it has terminated the contract of national team manager Paulo Sousa (pictured), with the Portuguese set to pay an agreed sum of compensation for his departure.
Poland’s football governing body PZPN says it has terminated the contract of national team manager Paulo Sousa (pictured), with the Portuguese set to pay an agreed sum of compensation for his departure.PAP/Leszek Szymański

The association's head, Cezary Kulesza, shared the news via Twitter late on Wednesday, saying that "under the settlement, the ex-manager will pay PZPN a sum of compensation in line with the expectations of the federation."

A few days earlier, Kulesza tweeted that Sousa had asked to leave his role by mutual consent after being offered to manage a club side.

Kulesza said at the time that Sousa’s conduct was "extremely irresponsible and inconsistent with his earlier declarations.”

The developments follow days of media speculation that Sousa was in talks with clubs in Brazil.

According to some news outlets, he was poised to take over at Brazilian giants Flamengo Rio de Janeiro later on Wednesday.

Sousa, a former elite player, had been in charge of the Polish national team since January this year, winning six, drawing five and losing four out of his 15 matches, the state PAP news agency reported.

He led Poland at the postponed Euro 2020 tournament, where the team failed to get past the group stage, suffering a surprise defeat to Slovakia before drawing with Spain and losing the decisive game against Sweden. 

Sousa also guided the Polish team to the upcoming play-offs for next year’s World Cup in Qatar after they finished second in their qualifying group, behind favourites England. 

In a two-stage format, Poland are set to face Russia in Moscow on March 24. If they win, they will play either Sweden or the Czech Republic at home on March 29 for a spot at the finals in Qatar.

Sousa’s successor could be announced in early January, with the PZPN reportedly looking for a Polish candidate, and the ex-manager Adam Nawałka in contention, according to PAP. 

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP