The Polish Football Association (PZPN) plans to hold a news conference at the National Stadium in Warsaw on Thursday to formally introduce the new coach, broadcaster TVP Sport reported.
The PZPN said earlier this month it was interviewing several candidates to replace Michał Probierz, who resigned in June following a World Cup qualifying defeat to Finland and a public falling-out with star striker Robert Lewandowski.
Polish media have widely speculated that Urban, a former national team player and experienced domestic coach, is the frontrunner for the job.
On Wednesday, Probierz posted a message on the X social media platform supporting his potential successor: "Jan, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you and the team. You're the right man to lead the squad, and I believe the fans will help us qualify for the World Cup."
Poland suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat to lower-ranked Finland in Helsinki on June 10, a loss that dealt a blow to the team’s chances of securing automatic qualification for next year’s tournament in North America.
Tensions had escalated after Probierz stripped Lewandowski of the captain’s armband, naming Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zieliński as his replacement.
Lewandowski said on June 8 he would no longer play under Probierz, citing a breakdown in trust—a stance he reiterated in an interview published a day later.
Polish football chief Cezary Kulesza said last month that the decision about Lewandowski's future with the national team would be up to the next head coach.
Jan Urban. Photo: PAP/Marcin Gadomski
Probierz, who became head coach on September 20, 2023, led Poland in 21 matches, recording nine wins, five draws and seven losses, state news agency PAP reported.
Poland began its World Cup qualifying campaign in March with a 1-0 home win over Lithuania, followed by a 2-0 victory against Malta.
After three rounds of qualifiers, Poland sit third in their qualifying Group G with six points. Finland lead the group with seven points from three games, followed by the Netherlands with six points from two matches.
Poland will face the Netherlands away on September 4 and host Finland on September 7 in their next World Cup qualifiers.
The top two teams in each group will qualify automatically.
The 2026 World Cup will be held in June and July next year in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Poland reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before being eliminated by eventual runners-up France.
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Source: IAR, PAP, polskieradio24.pl, przegladsportowy.onet.pl