KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Adam Nawalka is favourite to return as manager of Poland for the World Cup qualifying play-offs after Paulo Sousa’s sudden flight to take over Brazilian giants Flamengo.

Nawalka, a former national team midfielder, managed Poland between 2013 and 2018, leading them to a Euro quarter-final and place at the World Cup finals.

In his favour is Nawalka’s knowledge of the present team with training time in short supply before the World Cup showdowns in March against Russia and then, if successful, Czech Republic or Sweden.

At the start of the week Sousa asked to be released from his contract. Initially the PZPN refused but then president Cezary Kulesza changed his mind and former world club chanmpions Flamengo confirmed his hiring on a two-year contract.

Kulesza said the PZPN board’s decision was unanimous and that Sousa would have to pay “compensation in line with the federation’s expectations.” This has been estimated at €430,000.

Also Kulesza accused Sousa, a former Portugal international, of “extremely irresponsible behavior” for unexpectedly seeking to quit.

Sousa had been appointed in January 2021 but the team — captained by Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski — has underperformed under his leadership, finishing bottom of their group at Euro 2020 in June.

####