Tomasz Kuszczak Interview with OLBG

Tomasz Mirosław Kuszczak (born 20 March 1982) is a retired Polish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Born in Krosno Odrzańskie, Kuszczak is most well known for his time with international clubs including Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion in England, Śląsk Wrocław in Poland, and Hertha BSC in Germany. He closed his professional football career in 2019 after 15 years, playing for Birmingham City. After his playing career, he served briefly as a goalkeeping coach for the Poland national team.

Club Career

Kuszczak initially played for Hertha BSC and KFC Uerdingen 05 in Germany before moving to England in 2004 to play for West Bromwich Albion. In 2006, he transferred to Manchester United and as a backup goalkeeper won multiple titles including the Premier League, the League Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Champions League. In 2012, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion but was released in 2014. He then played for Wolverhampton Wanderers and subsequently for Birmingham City from 2015 till his retirement in 2019. 

International Career 

Internationally, Kuszczak represented Poland, making 14 appearances for the national under-21 side, and earning 11 caps at the senior level. He was part of the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad. His international debut was in December 2003, in a match against Malta that Poland won 4-0. 

Post-playing Career

Post-retirement, Kuszczak has ventured into business, creating a construction company in his native Poland, while also graduating college majoring in sports journalism. He also briefly served as a goalkeeping coach for the Poland national team in 2023.

Kuszczak Interview May 2024

Speaking exclusively to OLBG, Tomasz Kuszczak has explained why Cristiano Ronaldo is disrespected in the Lionel Messi debate. The former Manchester United stopper has also explained why Robert Lewandowski would still be an asset for his former club at the age of 35 ahead of Euro 2024. Kuszczak has also admitted that he couldn’t have predicted the rise of Jude Bellingham after training with the future Real Madrid star at Birmingham City.

Q: Has Cristiano Ronaldo been disrespected?

TK: “I do think that Cristiano Ronaldo has been disrespected, there is all this talk regarding who is better between him and Lionel Messi.

“I had the chance to train with him and play with him for a couple of years, he has proved everything in football wherever he has been.

“He has always been effective and shown he can be a leader, he deserves 100% respect but it is difficult to say what he is like now because the Saudi Pro League is not a top league.

“But Ronaldo is Ronaldo. For his country, he has been amazing over the years.  I think he is an icon which you can afford to leave out. It’s as simple as that. 

“As a Portugal team at the tournament he will give you an extra spark, even though he is reaching an age where he might start speaking about retirement, but look at the way he looks even now.

“He can keep going another couple of years. I'm sure he's going to be prepared for the tournament this summer. Being back in the European football spotlight, it’s going to be massive motivation for him.”

Q: Would Robert Lewandowski still be an asset for Manchester United now?

TK: “If Robert Lewandowski came now he would do the same as he does in any country. In Germany or in Spain now. He would be a big asset. I mean, he's an exciting player. Maybe technically he's not that tricky, but his finishing skills and his personality and strength, he's an extremely strong man. 

“He could do it, I would love to see him at Manchester United but I think he is a little bit short on time, being 35 at the moment and obviously he is very happy in Barcelona and Spain.

“The chances that he is going to join one of the English clubs are getting smaller. But yeah, why not? He would be great for the league as well.”