Paulo Sousa could have his contract terminated if Poland fail to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Polish Football Federation president Cezary Kulesza has told Sportowy24 amid reports linking the manager with Aston Villa.
With just one round of fixtures remaining, to call Poland’s situation a precarious one would be underplaying things.
Should they drop points against Andorra on Friday and then fail to beat a tight-knit, well-drilled Hungary side three days later, Poland could drop out of the qualification places – and out of the World Cup too.
As it stands, a team boasting arguably the greatest striker on the planet lies in second place, just two points above surprise package Albania.
And with Sousa’s contract set to expire at the end of this month, per Transfermarkt, his future on the national team bench depends on the next 180 minutes of action.
Talk about make or break.
Could Aston Villa hire Paulo Sousa as their next manager?
“If Paulo Sousa reaches the World Cup, his contract will be automatically extended by a year,” explains Kulesza.
“However, the Portuguese’s contract assumes that, if the team does not get to the World Cup, the contract can be terminated.
“I do not know (what will happen). I don’t think about such a situation. In the last five games, Sousa has won four and has only drawn with England. The results are very good.”
Four wins in five will count for nothing, however, if Albania leapfrog Poland into the play-off place.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Premier League strugglers Aston Villa have identified 51-year-old Sousa as an alternative to Steven Gerrard should their top managerial target opt to remain at Rangers.
The well-travelled Sousa, formerly of QPR, Swansea City and Leicester and a title-winner in Israel, Switzerland and Hungary, is far more experienced than Gerrard and boasts a track record of playing attractive, high-pressing football.
Aston Villa, then, will take a keen interest in what happens to Poland between now and Monday night – and not just because Matty Cash will be wearing an eagle on his chest for the first time.
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