Industria Kielce lost the coach with whom it experienced the greatest moments in its history. Talant Dujshebayev ended his job at the club after twelve years and resigned as coach. The decision was made at the hottest moment of the season, after painful results in the Champions League and Polish Cup. This is a move that closes a unique chapter in the history of Kielce handball.

The club announced on Friday that the resignation of the 57-year-old coach was accepted by the Industria authorities. Duyshebayev decided that the team needed a new stimulus before the decisive part of the competition. His contract was valid until the end of June 2027, but the cooperation ended much earlier.

The decision was influenced by recent sports disappointments. The Kielce team was eliminated from the Champions League after competing with OTP Bank-Pick Szeged, and later lost the semi-final of the Polish Cup to Orlen Wisła Płock. These are results that must have caused a strong reaction in a club with such high ambitions.

Why did Talant Duyshebayev quit his job?

A signal that something serious was happening was the coach’s absence on Wednesday during the quarter-final match of the Polish Championships in Kalisz. The team was then led by Krzysztof Lijewski, and Dujszebajew led talks regarding the termination of the contract.

The club’s statement emphasized that the decision was made after long discussions and with a sense of responsibility for the future of the team. The coach allegedly came to the conclusion that a change on the bench could help the team regain energy and compete more effectively in the most important phase of the season.

What successes did Dujshebayev achieve in Kielce?

Dujshebayev started working in Kielce in January 2014 and quickly gave the team a new level of ambition. The greatest success came in 2016, when the Kielce club became the first Polish team in history to win the Champions League. This achievement remains one of the most important moments in the history of Polish handball to this day.

Under his leadership, Industria stood on the podium of the Champions League four times:

• bronze in 2015,
• gold in 2016,
• silver in 2022,
• silver in 2023.

In addition, there were domestic successes. With the Kielce team, Dujshebayev won ten Polish championships, eight Polish Cups and the Super Cup. This is an achievement that means that his name will remain permanently associated with the greatest period in the club’s history.

Who will lead Industria Kielce after the change?

Krzysztof Lijewski, the current second coach, will take over the team until the end of the season. He will be responsible for the team when the margin for error is very small. Industry still has to fight for the most important goals in the country.

Changing the coach at such a moment always carries a risk, but the club is counting on an impulse. After a series of disappointments, the team needs a reaction not only sporting, but also mental. Lijewski knows the team from the inside, which can help him take over his duties quickly.

What does the legend’s departure mean for the club?

Parting with Dujshebayev is more than just a change of coach. For twelve years, the Spaniard has become a symbol of the Kielce project, its successes, ambitions and European aspirations. He built a team that was able to compete with the greatest and regularly put Poland on the map of elite handball.

Now Industria must open a new stage. Dujshebayev’s legacy will be a point of reference for every successor, but the coming weeks will show, above all, whether the team can quickly get back to winning ways after such a strong shock.