In terms of the Polish national team, what was your most important task? The very first one when you took charge?
"Everyone talked about that clean-up a lot, but I didn’t let it bother me too much. From the start, I had a clear idea in my mind, which I mentioned at my first press conference as head coach. Of course, I wanted to speak personally with those involved, and that’s exactly what I did.
"The plan I set out - everyone agreed to it. I knew Robert wanted to return to the national team. Even though I hadn’t spoken to him yet, I couldn’t imagine him not coming back. Honestly, it would have surprised not just me, but everyone, if he’d said he was done with the national team."
He would have surprised 40 million Poles...
"Definitely. But for me, that wasn’t the biggest issue to solve. I wanted to sort it out before the first training camp, so that no one would be talking about it during the camp. And that’s exactly what happened - it went really well. The biggest challenge for us was selection. And I say “us” because it’s a whole staff working here. I took over the team during the pre-season for many European leagues.
"We even travelled to some friendly matches to watch players who were available. What worried us most was that many of them weren’t playing regularly for their clubs. That was a big problem. And there weren’t that many players to choose from. If you want to go for quantity, fine - but it has to be quantity with quality. That famous “international level,” so they can play for the national team. And there wasn’t much choice.
"We were lucky that, just before the transfer window closed, about 10 players changed clubs. When you switch clubs, you have a much better chance of playing. And that’s what happened. It made selection easier. Of course, we analysed the time we spent with the team and concluded that our initial selection was really successful.
"If you look at the September and November call-ups, there weren’t many changes. If there were, it was due to injuries, yellow cards, and so on. Only a few new players joined the squad. That means we did a good job."
Watch the full interview with Jan Urban:
You mentioned Robert Lewandowski. I don’t want to go back to the captain’s armband situation - it’s been talked to death. But what kind of Lewandowski does Jan Urban need? Goals? Leadership? What does the Polish national team coach need from Robert Lewandowski today?
"I think we all expect an effective Robert Lewandowski - a “killer” in the penalty area. But for that to happen, you need to provide him with service. Robert scores plenty of goals for every team he’s played for - Znicz Pruszkow, Lech Poznan, Dortmund, Bayern, Barcelona, and the national team. Whenever the team creates chances, he knows how to find space in the box.
"He has an incredible knack for finishing, ice-cold composure, and the ability to be where defenders least expect the ball to go. His anticipation is outstanding - he can lose his marker, get ahead of them, slip behind their backs, and so on. Combine that with his finishing, and that’s why he has so many goals.
"Actually, I think the national team has always had an effective Robert at its disposal. But the team hasn’t always been able to create enough chances or provide him with the kind of service where you could say, “We gave him the opportunities, but Robert didn’t take them.”
"That kind of discussion hasn’t really happened in Polish football. If Robert was invisible, it was because he didn’t have anything to work with. Although sometimes he could score “out of nothing.” And that’s the kind of Robert the team needs."
And in the dressing room - as a leader? The captain’s armband has its impact, but also as someone who shakes up the team when needed? We know that in football, these moments happen, even at half-time when the team is losing.
"I think it’s different in a club dressing room than in the national team, where you only meet from time to time. Of course, he’s a leader when it comes to motivation, but there are others too - guys who speak up, encourage each other, and so on. For me, as a former player, that’s normal - it doesn’t surprise me. I look at other things: how focused they are, how they behave.
"And I think, in that respect, nothing has changed in the national team since my playing days. Playing for the national team, with the eagle on your chest, is an honour. That’s how I see it. Even if results are sometimes better or worse, I don’t see players who don’t care or don’t want to be there.
"Although after poor matches, you often read or hear in the media that they show up without ambition, don’t care, and so on. No, that’s something people say when they don’t know what it’s like inside. Sometimes it might look that way, but the reasons are definitely different- not that someone doesn’t care or isn’t committed.
Preparations for the playoffs
We’re in the holiday season. Is the match against Albania in the World Cup playoffs on Jan Urban’s mind? Do you think about it? Dream about it? Or are you leaving it for now and will get back to work calmly?
"That match has been on my mind ever since the playoff draw. It’s always there. But I think the tension will build as the date approaches. Around early to mid-January, the whole staff will start traveling to watch players live - not just ours, not just Albania’s, because we also have to be ready for the next match if we beat Albania, against the winner of Ukraine-Sweden.
"There’s a lot to observe and prepare for, but yes, that match is always in my head. I know it’ll keep nagging at me as time goes on."
Do you think this is the biggest challenge of your coaching career?
"Absolutely. You know, club challenges are mostly local. Of course, everyone knows about them, but it’s mainly the club’s fans watching you, while others just glance from afar.
"Here, it’s different. It’s an incredible honour to be the national team coach, but also a huge responsibility. Especially knowing how we Poles love to swing from one extreme to the other - one moment it’s fantastic, the next it’s a disaster. But that’s just how we are.
Poles abroad
A quick word about some players. Kuba Kaminski: when you watch him, do you see untapped potential? Can he go even higher, to a better club and keep developing?
"That’s not an easy question, because he’s playing well - very well, in fact. He’s a hard-working, ambitious player. Lately, he’s started to show that. Everyone knew he worked hard on the pitch - both offensively and defensively. We know he’s pretty quick, likes to dribble, has courage, and can pull it off.
"In my opinion, what he lacked - and I’ve read similar opinions - was effectiveness in front of goal. Finishing. Goals and assists, simply. But he’s starting to deliver. He’s showing it both for the national team and his club.
"His club situation is that he’s on loan at FC Koln. We’ll see how things work out, but he’s a young, very talented, and brave player with great skills. I don’t think he’ll drop below this level. He’s made it here, and he’ll stay. Will he take the next step? He’s showing he can, because he’s starting to put up numbers."
And the pair Kiwior and Bednarek, swapping England for the sunny climate of Portugal? How much has that helped them, and how much has it helped you as coach, considering how they’re playing there?
"Yes, they traded rain for sunshine. They’re at a very good club, one that will always play in European competitions. The only question is whether it’s the Champions League or Europa League, but they’ll always be in a team that dominates the league, along with Sporting and Benfica.
"Playing together definitely helps - they’re a pair both for club and country. They’re playing really well and getting very positive reviews. Let’s hope they bring that form to the national team, because we’ll need them at their best in the playoffs."
Could the pair Ziolkowski and Potulski challenge them for a spot in Poland’s starting eleven? Or is that still a thing for the future?
"Hard to say. As for Potulski... maybe it’s something for the future, but football changes quickly, and they could be knocking on the door of the senior team sooner than expected.
"Ziolkowski - he was called up thanks to his great performances for Legia Warszawa, not Roma. But even his recent games in Serie A have earned him praise. He took advantage of a teammate’s absence due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
"That’s how a player’s situation can change - one day you’re not in the squad, then someone leaves, and you get your chance. If you take it, you’ll get more opportunities. There are plenty of such cases in football - sometimes it’s just luck that gives you your shot."
Should Przemek Wisniewski follow a similar path? There’s talk of interest from Turkey and Jagiellonia. Should he play regularly, since that’s so important for a national team call-up?
"You know what? Przemek is playing regularly - he’s always in his club’s lineup. But right now, they’re fighting to avoid relegation. I’m not sure if the coach would call up a player from the third division, if they go down. I think playing for the national team could help him move to a stronger club, ideally in Serie A or another top league.
"He’s playing and often gets praised, but it’s still the second tier. We’ll see how his situation develops. And it’s not just him - Szymanski is in a similar spot. I think he’ll transfer this winter, but time will tell.
"So, when talking about who’s playing well at the moment: yes, we’re following it and will keep doing so. But for me as a coach, it’s not most important that Piotrek Zielinski is in form and Sebastian Szymanski isn’t playing. There’s plenty of time until the end of March, and what matters most is who’s in shape a week, two, or three before the playoffs."
One more name. We talked about two “Dragons”: Kiwior and Bednarek. The third is Oskar Pietuszewski, probably the hottest name in Polish football in recent months. Was that transfer a good idea?
"I think so - no doubt about it. Not just because of his high skill level, but above all, his character. Character is incredibly important in football today, and he’s got it. He really does. Let’s hope we’re not wrong about him, because he’s a huge talent.
"Fingers crossed that things go his way. Sooner or later, he’ll make it to the senior team - I doubt he’ll slow down. With that kind of character, he’ll always be hungry for success."
Plans for the future
So, to finish, let’s come back to you. We used to talk about “Gorski’s team,” “Piechniczek’s team,” “Nawalka’s team.” Would you like people to talk about “Urban’s team” in a few or several decades?
"I’d like to qualify for the World Cup."
That’s when they could say it...
"No, even then they won’t say it. No, Urban can’t compare himself even 10% to those coaches - they actually achieved something with the national team. I haven’t. Nothing. I’m just starting out. These are my first steps.
"The biggest challenge is still ahead - the playoffs in March. That’s what I’m focused on, not what you’re saying. But you mention it because the team’s image has improved lately, things are better. And now people want everything - they want it to last forever, that we’ll never lose, and so on. But that’s not how it works.
"Just look at Italy - they’re in the playoffs, and it could be their third World Cup in a row without qualifying. That’s football. They missed one World Cup as European champions, if I’m not mistaken.
"Football is unpredictable, so humility and modesty on one hand, and courage and self-confidence on the other, are key. All of that helps you stay calm and focus on the next matches."
Finally, Jan Urban in retirement. Where? Spain, Pamplona, Zakopane, Krakow?
"I don’t think that’ll change. I’ll probably live between Poland and Spain, because nowadays - when it comes to travel - there’s no problem. I’ve been used to this lifestyle for years. So let’s wish each other good health for the New Year, and we’ll handle everything else."