Smuda leaves Poland post after Euro 2012 exit

Posted Sunday, June 17, 2012 by Goal.com

Poland coach Franciszek Smuda has confirmed that he will leave his post after failing to guide the host nation beyond the group stage of Euro 2012.

The hosts followed up draws with Greece and Russia with a defeat to Czech Republic on Saturday, and the former Lech Poznan coach revealed that he will step down when his contract officially expires at the end of the tournament.

Looking back on his time in the job, Smuda stated that his team had made progress during his three years at the helm, despite their underwhelming European Championship campaign.

"I think that this team has made huge progress, and I think that this can go on when the qualifiers start again. I think that these guys are well-prepared," he told reporters after the match.

"I don't have to resign, my contract runs up now, so I don't see any need to hand in a token resignation."

Reflecting on the Czech clash, Smuda stated that his side approached the fixture with a lackadaisical attitude, and were punished by their impressive opponents.

"We had to eat a huge slice of humble pie," he told reporters after the match. "We looked too confident of winning here, perhaps. The Czechs were great, and played a better game.

"We had several chances before half-time, but then we lost. We can compare this to the Greece game.

"We started the second half with huge belief, but things that were said in the dressing room were different to what they actually did.

"I don't think think I have to explain my decisions. Everyone wants their way of making changes to happen. Individual mistakes have cost us, but I think that after the Russia game, every one of you should stick to this team.

"I liked the first half, and what we did at the start - you can't take that away from them, but later we waited for the Czechs, never risked by going at them.

"The Czechs played well in the second half, they attacked us and pressed us better than we did. We didn't even have chances on the counter - they were reading the game very well."