London (AFP)
Already very reserved on the ephemeral Super League project, the coaches of Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp, and Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, attacked the new formula of the UEFA Champions League on Friday, criticizing the increase in the number of matches.
"It's very good that the Super League is no longer on the table, but the new Champions League is not great", regretted Klopp in a press conference, on the eve of the reception of Newcastle in the league.
"You cannot simply introduce more and more matches," criticized the German technician, winner of the C1 with the Reds in 2019. "The only people who are never asked for anything are coaches, players and supporters . UEFA did not consult us, ”he added.
"We are already at the limit. Believe me, when all the coaches think the same thing, it is proof that we are going a little too far," continued the German.
In 2024, the Champions League is supposed to go from 32 to 36 teams who will first play a mini-championship with ten days, against a group stage with six days currently, before playing the knockout phase.
A reform that will generate 100 more matches compared to the current format.
Guardiola also expressed his fears about this heavy schedule and the dangers to the physical integrity of the players.
"All football demands better quality and they (UEFA) go for quantity," reacted the Catalan, two days before the League Cup final against Tottenham.
"Maybe we should ask UEFA and FIFA to extend the year. Maybe we could have 400 days a year," said the coach of City, double winner of the C1 with the FC Barcelona.
Guardiola has accused UEFA of ignoring the potential injury risks, saying the players have to take on a heavy workload at club and at the squad.
"The players like to play but sometimes injuries happen. UEFA knows that, of course, but does it care? Absolutely not," he said.
Klopp and Guardiola had already voiced criticism earlier this week after the announcement of the European Super League project, a private and almost closed competition imagined by twelve major dissident clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester City, but quickly abandoned in the face of public outcry.
© 2021 AFP