Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind Manchester City’s recent dominance, has consistently voiced his concerns over the increasingly congested soccer calendar. Every season, the Catalan coach criticizes the authorities for the relentless schedule that demands players to participate in an excessive number of matches. He argues that the packed fixture list is detrimental to players’ health and performance. He expressed this sentiment with growing frustration.
The Spaniard’s dissatisfaction with the authorities’ inaction led him to take a bold step this preseason. Recognizing that his complaints were falling on deaf ears, the Manchester City boss decided to give his players an extended break. That’s even before they resumed training for the upcoming campaign. This move, while controversial, underscores Guardiola‘s commitment to player welfare.
The decision to grant his players additional rest has inevitably impacted City’s preseason preparations. The reigning Premier League champions embarked on their tour of the United States with a significantly depleted squad. Many first-team players who participated in summer international tournaments have not yet rejoined the team. This lack of star power both on and off the pitch has shone a spotlight on the coach’s stance and the broader issue of player burnout.
What did Guardiola say about impending calendar?
In the wake of consecutive defeats during the preseason friendlies, Guardiola defended his decision, emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing players’ health over immediate results. “We will arrive late but not [just] against Manchester United [in the Community Shield], against Chelsea and Ipswich too. We will be late. It’s about trying not to drop many points, try to compete well. We don’t have players because they have to rest,” Guardiola stated.
He did not mince words when addressing the scheduling policies of FIFA, UEFA, and the Premier League. “If the big bosses and all…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/they-will-die-guardiola-slams-citys-jam-packed-calendar/
Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-07-31 17:57:17
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