This, it is fair to say, was not the London Stadium farewell Lukasz Fabianski wanted as West Ham United lost 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest on the Premier League’s penultimate weekend.
Another home defeat was bad enough.
But with Lukasz Fabianski watching on from the bench as Alphonse Areola gifted Nottingham Forest an early lead – his errant pass capitalised on by a grateful Morgan Gibbs-White – West Ham United’s long-serving goalkeeper could not keep his frustrations to himself.
Fabianski hit out at Graham Potter’s team selection at full-time.
Harsh, maybe. West Ham had a game to win, after all, and football is no place for charity.
Yet, after seven years of loyal service and over 200 appearances, the Conference League-winning glovesman was understandably disappointed to not get a few minutes on the pitch at least.
“I feel disappointed with how it looked today [for my last home game],” Fabianski told Via Play Sport Poland.
“I secretly hoped that I would be able to say goodbye to the fans at the home match by being on the pitch [as a starter] or for at least a moment [as a substitute].”
Lukasz Fabianski wants to stay in London after West Ham United exit
Where next, then, for Lukasz Fabianski?
Despite turning 40 in April, the former Swansea City and Arsenal goalkeeper appears to have no plans to hang up his gloves just yet.
Furthermore, Fabianski rejected a return to Poland with Legia Warsaw – the club where he celebrated the 2006 Ekstraklasa title – with his top priority being to find another club based in the English capital.
“As I have said many times, at the moment the most important thing for me is the well-being of my family,” Fabianski explains. “Now, it is time to give them some of that peace. My priority is my family, so that they feel happy.
“We have decided that we will spend the next few years here, in London or nearby. As for football? We will see.”
Fabianski rejects Poland return as he hopes for London lifeline
Given his age, Fabianski is unlikely to be offered a starting role at the likes of Brentford or Fulham. Perhaps there could be a spot for him as an experienced back-up though, a la Rob Green at Chelsea, Tom Heaton at Manchester United, or Scott Carson at Man City.
Legia Warsaw director Michal Zewkalow admitted last week that he had discussed a second spell at the Polish Army Stadium with the 57-time Poland international.
Fabianski’s priority, though, is to spend at least the next couple of years where he and his family are comfortable before considering the next step.
“Lukasz called back two days after my call,” Zewkalow told Sport. “He said clearly that he is not coming back to Poland.
“For private reasons, he wants to stay in England for a few more years.”
Fabianski might not be the only goalkeeping departure from West Ham this summer.
Alphonse Areola is reportedly a target for Espanyol. A return to La Liga may be on the cards for the one-time Real Madrid and Villarreal glovesman, especially if the much-coveted Joan Garcia departs Catalonia.
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