Poland coach loses job after team's World Cup performance

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Polish soccer association will not extend the contact of national team coach Czesław Michniewicz after an analysis of the team's performance at the World Cup in Qatar.

Michniewicz's contract ends on Dec. 31. The association said Thursday it will soon start looking for a new coach.

The Polish association acknowledged that Michniewicz took over at a difficult time and said he had achieved some success, leading the team to the knockout rounds of the World Cup for the first time in 36 years.

“For this, Czesław Michniewicz deserves thanks,” Polish soccer association president Cezary Kulesza said in a statement.

But the association said it considered others issues as well, including the “further functioning of the national team and the direction of its development.”

It said that it would begin soon to look for a new coach who will lead the national team in qualifying for the European Championship.

“The new coach must also improve the image of the national team and rebuild the trust of the fans,” Kulesza said.

He added on Twitter: “Coach, thank you for 11 months of work with the Polish national team. Good luck in your further career!”

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