Lukasz Fabianski’s West Ham retirement plan as project ‘unlike any other’ revealed

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When the day comes to hang up their boots, or their gloves in the case of veteran West Ham United goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, a footballer is usually faced with two choices.

Does he go into the media and opt to spend his days sitting alongside Ian Wright, Glenn Hoddle and co in the punditry booth? Or, at a time when so many of England’s alleged ‘Golden Generation’ have tried their hand at management, does he put all those years of experience to good use training up the next generation?

Lukasz Fabianski, who returned to West Ham United on a short-term deal until the end of the season in September, has already sampled the former. And as of February next year, Hammers permitting, the former Arsenal and Swansea City shot-stopper will have a go at the latter.

Before Graham Potter welcomed Fabianski back to his old stomping ground – the 40-year-old put pen to paper on a deal which runs until July 2026 – he worked briefly as a pundit on Polish TV.

From next year, though, Fabianski will take on a mentoring role for a host of wide-eyed young talents hoping to follow in his footsteps.

Lukasz Fabianski has his post-West Ham United plan laid out

Alongside Artur Boruc and Wojciech Kowalewski, who also played in goal for the Polish national team in their prime, Fabianski is helping to launch a new goalkeeping academy in Rzeszow.

As Sportowe Fakty put it, this is a project ‘unlike any other’ in Poland.

“We’re implementing the project at a professional level, with professional staff, and with full sports, hotel, catering, and educational facilities. I believe it’s at least top-tier,” Kowalewski says of a programme designed to benefit young goalkeepers aged between eight and 17.

“The sessions will be led by coaches with experience at both the league and international levels. Myself, Artur, and Lukasz will also be participating.”

Fabianski will need the Hammers permission before travelling back to Poland

While the ribbon is expected to be cut as early as February, ex-Spartak Moscow glovesman Kowalewski accepts that it will be down to West Ham to decide when Fabianski will be permitted to make the trip home.

He is still a West Ham player, after all, even if Fabianski has featured against MK Dons only since returning to the English capital. His one and only competitive appearance in his second spell came during a 5-1 EFL Trophy thrashing of the League Two outfit in September.

Artur and I will be participating in both workshops. As for Lukasz, we’re waiting for West Ham’s decision on whether he’ll be allowed to come,” Kowalewski adds.

“If that doesn’t happen, we will definitely be connecting with Lukasz online to provide mentoring sessions for young players. ‘Fabian’ has vast experience, and his perspective on football is invaluable. He can convey a lot even in conversation.

“Lukasz has declared his presence at future training camps. He definitely wants to [be heavily involved].”

Finlay Herrick and Krisztian Hegyi will be eyeing Fabianski’s spot

Back in 2021, Fabianski admitted to ESPN that he planned to return to Poland when his playing career finally comes to an end. For good, that is.

Until then, a Conference League champion with nearly 400 Premier League appearances on his CV will continue to impart pearls of goalkeeping wisdom upon those desperate to learn from his example.

Teenager Finlay Hooper is relishing the chance to work with Fabianski behind the scenes. His near-namesake Finlay Herrick is another who should only benefit from his expertise, alongside the similarly highly-rated Krisztian Hegyi.

“Fabianski is a club legend. Everybody loves him,” Hooper said following that MK Dons thrashing.

“When we did pre-match at the hotel, I was asking him questions. He’s a genuine guy, doesn’t think he’s better than anyone else, and speaks to everyone with respect, which I really admire. That’s who you want to learn from.”

It is expected that Herrick and Hegyi will compete to step into Fabianski’s shoes as one of the back-ups to West Ham’s number one – Alphonse Areola or whoever – next season.

‘Heroic’ Herrick was ‘outstanding’ for West Ham as the Under-21s secured their spot in the last-16 of the EFL Trophy on Wednesday night. A goalkeeper recently called up for the England U21s saved a stoppage-time penalty, as well as Michael Mbick’s follow-up, at the end of a tense 1-0 win at Colchester.

Hungarian Hegyi is considering his options, meanwhile, as his contract runs down.