In a scathing prelude to Euro 2024, former Polish national team director Jan de Zeeuw has stirred controversy with his blunt assessment of Poland’s football prowess. Living in Poland for several years, de Zeeuw’s remarks, delivered in an interview with “De Volkskrant,” have struck a raw nerve among Polish football fans and officials alike.
De Zeeuw, who served as the director of the Polish national team from 2006 to 2009, famously recommended the hiring of coach Leo Beenhakker. Their tenure saw the emergence of stars like Robert Lewandowski. However, de Zeeuw’s tenure ended acrimoniously, marred by allegations of structural corruption and unprofessionalism within the Polish Football Association (PZPN).
In his interview, de Zeeuw did not hold back. “The Netherlands doesn’t need to field a goalkeeper. Poles can’t play football,” he declared. His biting critique went further, accusing the Polish football system of being stuck in the past, plagued by corruption, and resistant to change. He singled out influential figures such as Zbigniew Boniek, accusing him of meddling from afar in Rome and acting in self-interest rather than for the good of Polish football.
De Zeeuw’s tenure and subsequent observations paint a bleak picture of Polish football’s inner workings. “For years, Poland has been governed by structural abuses, extreme lack of professionalism, alcohol consumption among directors, and corruption scandals,” he asserted. He believes that as long as the old guard remains in power, no real innovation or improvement can take place.
The former director also pointed out the struggles faced by foreign coaches like Paulo Sousa and Fernando Santos, who, according to de Zeeuw, were left disillusioned by their experiences in Poland.
As Poland gears up to face the Netherlands in their opening match of Euro 2024, de Zeeuw’s predictions are far from optimistic. With a Dutch jersey hanging in his window to tease his Polish neighbors, he predicts a straightforward win for his homeland. “The Dutch will easily beat Poland on Sunday,” he claimed, adding that Polish players lack the ability to perform under pressure, citing recent underwhelming performances such as the playoff match against Wales.
De Zeeuw’s comments, while harsh, highlight ongoing issues within Polish football that have long been subjects of debate. His critique of key players like Zieliński and Szczęsny further underscores his belief in the systemic failures of the Polish team. With Zieliński out of form due to conflicts at Napoli and defensive woes highlighted by de Zeeuw’s comparison of Dawidowicz’s agility to that of a Volvo truck, the ex-director’s words paint a troubling picture.
As Poland and the Netherlands prepare to clash on June 16th, all eyes will be on how the Polish team responds to such damning criticism. Will they rise to the occasion, or will de Zeeuw’s predictions ring true on the European stage? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher for the Polish national team.