From the start of the selection adventure, Paulo Sousa was hesitant to assign players from PKO BP Ekstraklasa to the team. Only one player from the Polish League will attend the October training camp: Kacper Kozłowski from Pogoń Szczecin. It is true that in September Bartosz Slech of Legia Warszawa and Jakob Kaminski of Lech Pozna had chances, but these are exceptions. This may soon change, because the Portuguese plan to organize camps only for Ekstraklasa players. And also – for coaches.
Sousa talked about this idea in Intense conversation with Interia and “Po Gwizdku” channel.
– What might happen in the future – I talked about it with Zibe Bojek, and recently I mentioned it to the new president, Cesare Colleza – This is done several times during the season, for example once a month, with only football players being hired from Ekstraklasa – Souza said He added: – For two days, two training sessions. This is something I would like to do. In addition, I would like to invite coaches from Ekstraklasa for two days to share experiences and talk about football. The Portuguese also admitted that if this concept were implemented, he would have more chances to appear in Poland. – That might give me a reason to be here so often; When we communicate with coaches. Souza said it would make more sense than just to come take a picture and say, “Hey, I’m in Poland, I came to watch the Ekstraklasa game.”
If Souza’s plan had come true, the determinant would have followed in the footsteps of Leo Beenhakker, who worked with the Polish national team in 2006-2009. The Dutch coach focused a lot on developing players from our league, putting in the team Grzegorz Bronowicki, Pawe Golański, ukasz Garguła, Wojciech Łobodziński, Radosław Matusiak or … Robert Lewandowski.
In addition, Pinker periodically organized winter camps for league players in warm countries, incl. in Portugal and Turkey. In 2009, there was a full-time staff in such a camp later: Jacob Warzeniak, Tomasz Gudowicz or Roger, and on the reserve list was … Michai Bazdan.
Behnhacker also activated the Polish coaches. At various times during the Dutchman’s tenure in office, his associates included Adam Nawakka, Jan Urban, Dariusz Dzikanovsky, Rafai Ulatowski, and Bogoslo Kachmaric. It’s true that there aren’t many Poles in Sousa’s staff (only Maciej Stolarczyk and Hubert Malowiecki), but the 51-year-old wants to blend in with the coaches.
We asked the president of the Polish Football Association, Cesare Kuleza, to comment on the words of Mukhtar, who on Thursday watched the Polish champions’ match with Leicester from the stands of the Legia Warszawa Stadium. Kulesza, who has managed Jagiellonia Biaystok for a decade, makes no secret that he loves the coach’s idea very much.
From the beginning, I am of the opinion that the knowledge and experience of the chosen one should be used. Meeting with coaches can be a clear indication that they are also an important part of the representation. The relationship between them and the manager should be healthy and normal. I’ll talk to Paolo soon about this and we’ll see what comes out of it. What about soccer camps? It is also an open topic that we will discuss. It’s understandable for now, Kulesza tells us.
The full conversation with Paulo Sousa Watch on “Po Gwizdku” channel.
Sebastian Staszewski, Entrea
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