For several years, the XXL calendar of high-level players has been the talk of the town. Raphaël Varane had also retired internationally after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for his physical health. But coaches also try to alert the federations to reduce the number of meetings each season. Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola in particular. The latter thinks that players must mobilize to make themselves heard, or perhaps even rebel, so that all this finally changes. “I would say any idea to reduce the number of games for players would be a good thing. But there will be no change… There is only one solution: if the players decide for themselves. To say ‘stop’ to organizations, something has to change. After that, maybe FIFA and UEFA will react.explains the Manchester City tactician.
“The show must continue. Without Pep? He will continue. But without the players, the show couldn’t go on. It depends on them. As the UEFA president (Aleksander Ceferin) said to Jürgen and me, don’t complain because you make a lot of money.” Strong words from Guardiola which come after those of Vincent Kompany, who advocates a ceiling limited to 60 matches per season. To conclude, the Skyblues coach suggests a model similar to that of the NBA: “I love football, but when we take a break, it has to be a real break. It’s my point of view. I always use the NBA as an example. They play 80 matches in a few months but then have four months off. You can regenerate. Then afterwards, it’s full blast.” In the meantime, Manchester City will face Wolves this Saturday at 4 p.m. – without Rodri, suspended – a few days after the premature elimination against the Magpies in the Carabao Cup.
