Mateusz Borek criticizes PZPN over Jan Urban successor talks
Poland national football team manager Jan Urban faces an uncertain future ahead of upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures, with discussions regarding potential successors causing tension, according to Przegląd Sportowy.
Leaked Succession Plans Disrupt National Team Camp
Speculation surrounding the national team intensified after Piotr Wołosik revealed on the Przegląd Sportowy Onet program Ofensywni that high-ranking PZPN authorities are deeply dissatisfied with the team’s current trajectory. While the federation has not completely dismissed Urban, ongoing internal deliberations concerning candidates to replace him have leaked into public view. Media reports initially linked Michal Gasparik of Górnik Zabrze to the position. More recently, reports from Italian outlets including Nicolo Schira and Gianluca Di Marzio indicated that Kosta Runjaić—recently dismissed from Italian club Udinese—has emerged as a primary candidate for the role.
Speaking on Kanał Sportowy, commentator Mateusz Borek expressed bewilderment that a federation would actively discuss prospective managers while a current coach remains in office. Borek suggested that if he were in Urban’s position upon discovering that top federation officials were openly discussing replacements such as Gasparik, he would demand an immediate financial settlement from PZPN leadership.
Runjaić Leaves Udinese After Poor Serie A Results
Conversely, Przegląd Sportowy noted that PZPN president Cezary Kulesza publicly maintained on October 6, 2026, that Urban would remain in charge at least through the November international window. Urban assumed the managerial post in July 2025 following the departure of Michał Probierz, having received a contract extension despite a playoff final defeat to Sweden in the qualification path for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Poland Faces Relegation Risks Before November Fixtures
The immediate sporting calendar leaves little room for internal administrative disputes. Poland registered only two victories throughout 2026, raising concerns over potential relegation to League C of the UEFA Nations League alongside missing out on the North American World Cup. Sport.pl outlined the team’s mixed form under Urban, which includes draws against the Netherlands, a 6:0 victory over Romania in Warsaw, but damaging losses and draws against Sweden and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Kosta #Runjaic is a candidate for Poland National Team’s coach role. #transfers
Poland travels to face Romania on November 14, 2026, before hosting Sweden in Wrocław on November 17, 2026. According to reports from Sport.pl, these fixtures will determine whether Urban retains his position or if the federation moves to secure a successor.
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