Jan Urban outlines Poland plan around Robert Lewandowski

Jan Urban says Poland must begin preparing for a future without Robert Lewandowski, even though the captain has no immediate intention of ending his international career.

Lewandowski recently made clear that he will report for the full September and October national-team camps and remain available to the head coach throughout. At the same time, he stopped short of setting any date for his farewell from international football, stressing that he will make that decision himself when the moment feels right.

Urban has now addressed the situation publicly, balancing respect for one of Poland’s most important players with the practical demands of squad planning. His message is clear: Lewandowski’s status is beyond doubt, but the national team cannot delay its succession planning.

Urban: Lewandowski has earned special status

The Poland head coach described Lewandowski as a figure of huge significance in the country’s football history and suggested that the striker has earned the right to decide when his international journey should end.

Urban’s stance reflects both Lewandowski’s standing and his contribution over many years. The coach indicated that if the forward reaches a point where he feels he can no longer give the national side everything it requires, he would be fully entitled to step away on his own terms.

That does not mean, however, that Poland can build solely around the assumption that their captain will continue indefinitely. Urban acknowledged the need to look ahead and manage the transition carefully, particularly with the longer-term horizon in mind.

Planning for the future has already started

Urban said Poland must prepare for a version of the team without Lewandowski. The coach pointed to the reality that if the striker were still involved by the time of Euro 2028, he would be approaching 40.

For that reason, Urban is already considering the increased injury risk that can come with age and the need to gradually introduce other attacking options into the squad. Rather than waiting for a formal retirement announcement, the coaching staff appear determined to use the coming windows to broaden Poland’s solutions in forward areas.

It is a pragmatic approach rather than a dramatic one. Lewandowski remains part of the picture, but Urban is trying to ensure the team is not left unprepared when the moment of change eventually arrives.

Nationals League schedule will test rotation plan

The first indication of that thinking is expected to come in Poland’s upcoming Nations League fixtures. Urban will soon have to manage a demanding run of matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden, Romania and Bosnia again in a short period.

The coach made it clear he does not expect any player, including Lewandowski, to complete all four matches from start to finish.

Instead, Urban said the staff will discuss workloads and minutes with the captain, mindful that four games in little more than a week can increase the risk of minor injuries and make rotation necessary.

• Lewandowski plans to attend the full September and October camps.
• He has not set a date for retiring from international football.
• Urban says Poland must prepare for life without him.
• Upcoming Nations League matches are expected to require careful minute management.

Respect for the present, realism about the future

Urban’s comments underline the balancing act facing Poland. Lewandowski remains central to the national team and, by his own account, still has the desire to continue. Yet the coach is equally aware that planning only for the present would be a mistake.

For Poland, the challenge is to honour a leading figure while building the next version of the side. Urban’s approach suggests he wants to do both: keep Lewandowski involved, but reduce the risk of overburdening him and use the coming matches to prepare the team for what comes next.