Lukas Podolski buys Polish club Górnik Zabrze and slams German national team

Former World Cup winner Lukas Podolski, now 41, announced he has purchased the Polish side Górnik Zabrze and will take on a managerial role at the club. In an Instagram video he packed away his former club jerseys, signalling the end of his playing career and the start of his ownership venture.

Podolski also used recent media appearances to criticize the German national team’s lack of mental toughness after its early exit from the 2022 World Cup. He said the squad lacks “aggressive, gritty players” and called for structural reforms within the DFB, from youth development to player mentality. He praised Jürgen Klopp as a suitable coach but warned that a mere coaching change would not solve deeper issues.