Legia’s Current Situation and Lack of Unity

“I think Marek Papszun would need time at Legia”

– Legia have struggled with consistency this season and currently find themselves in the lower part of the Ekstraklasa table. How do you assess the club’s current situation, and what do you see as the biggest problem?

• There are many factors behind Legia’s problems this season. First of all, the players themselves must take the biggest share of responsibility, although the sporting department also deserves criticism. That said, we have to be honest — Legia’s squad is not a weak one. It is certainly not a squad that should be fighting relegation.
  In my opinion, the biggest issue is that there is no real team. There is no unity, no collective spirit, no sense of “one for all, all for one.” There’s no chemistry between the players and no real understanding on the pitch — you can see that with the naked eye. Football is a team sport, and without unity and cohesion, it’s very hard to build anything.
  When players themselves go to the media and say things like “we need to score goals” or “we need to take our chances,” it’s a clear sign that they have many grievances with each other. It feels like they’re one step away from pointing fingers.

Marek Papszun, Expectations and Long-Term Vision

– In recent days there has been a lot of talk about Marek Papszun potentially becoming Legia’s new head coach, with negotiations reportedly close to completion. How do you assess that possibility, and what impact could he have?

• One thing is certain — Legia is not a club known for giving coaches a lot of time. And Marek Papszun would need time. Expectations at Legia are enormous, from the fans and from the board. Papszun has a very specific working style. He is extremely meticulous when it comes to choosing his staff and, above all, his players. I’m not sure whether everyone in the current squad would pass that test.
  There could also be issues on the sporting-director level. At Raków, Papszun had full control, including a major say in transfers. At Legia, things may not be that straightforward. Another potential challenge is the integration of young players. Legia have a very strong academy, and those players have huge potential, but they need trust. Look at how well this model works at Lech Poznań.

– Do you think a coach of Papszun’s profile and reputation can change the team’s mentality and help Legia get back on track? Why or why not?

• His style of play could be an issue. At Legia, it’s not enough just to win — you’re expected to win while playing attractive football. I know this from experience; I played here for several years. We used to win 1–0, and the fans were still unhappy.

Transfers, Responsibility and a Crucial Match Ahead

– Who, in your opinion, should be responsible for transfer decisions at Legia — Dariusz Mioduski, Fred Bobic, Michał Żewłakow, or Marek Papszun?

• It certainly won’t be the owner, Dariusz Mioduski — he already has too much on his plate. But even so, there are still many decision-makers involved. Three people is a lot, especially when each of them has a different view of football.

– How important will the postponed match against Piast Gliwice be for Legia?

• Extremely important. If Legia lose, their situation going into the spring round will become very complicated — especially from a mental perspective.

About Marcin Burkhardt

Marcin Burkhardt is a former Polish international and one of the recognizable midfielders of his generation in Polish football. Best known for his time at Legia Warszawa, he later built a career in coaching and punditry, earning respect for his honest analysis and deep understanding of dressing-room dynamics and modern football.