Most of the Industria Kielce squad threatened to skip training after the Spanish coach’s harsh speech following their Polish Cup defeat.
The resignation of Talant Dujshebaev from the Industria Kielce coaching position was precipitated by an internal conflict, culminating in a boycott threat from a group of players. The defeat in the Polish Cup semi-final against Orlen Wisła Płock is believed to have been the trigger for a crisis that had been brewing, according to local media.
Dujshebaev’s intense leadership style has always been a hallmark of his work, but the situation became unsustainable after the Cup elimination. Reportedly, the coach harshly reprimanded the team in the locker room, which this time generated strong opposition from some players, who threatened not to attend Monday’s training session.
This confrontation divided the locker room, pitting the disgruntled players on one side against the coach’s sons, Daniel and the team captain, Alex, on the other. The tension was evident in a farewell video published by the club, in which Dujshebaev addresses his sons: “Alex, Dani, I don’t want to see any concern from you about this matter, nor do I want you to start any conflict. Win this title for the club. Do your best to win this final, stay united.”
The coach’s departure, initially planned for the end of the season, was brought forward due to these events. “Plan A was Talant’s departure at the end of the season, but other events that have occurred since Saturday have forced us to take this measure earlier. I don’t want to go into details,” said the club’s interim president, Paweł Papaj, to Radio Kielce.
Krzysztof Lijewski will take over as manager until the end of the season, replacing Dujshebaev, with this period serving as a test of his ability to manage the team long-term. Names like Dagur Sigurdsson, Jaron Siewert, and Uroš Zorman are also mentioned as possible successors.
The future coach will face the difficult task of managing a divided dressing room and possibly implementing a new playing philosophy after 12 years under the influence of Dujshebaev’s Spanish style. Squad management will be crucial, something that doesn’t necessarily imply the same authoritarian methods as his predecessor.
In addition to the sporting crisis, Kielce faces financial uncertainties.
