“A club alone cannot change things”, rather a reflection of “the whole sector” is needed because “there are too many competitions”, declared the Manchester United coach, Erik ten Hag, on Tuesday, questioned on the increase in the number of football matches.
“I think that one club alone cannot change things. It should rather concern the whole sector,” said the Dutch manager before facing FC Twente on Wednesday in the Europa League.
Footballers in the biggest clubs are exposed to an increase in the calendar, both due to the reform of European competitions (two additional matches this season) and the expansion of the Club World Cup, the next edition of which is scheduled for the summer of 2025.
“There are too many games, that’s clear, too many competitions. The top players are overloaded and that’s not good for football,” reacted the Dutch manager before facing FC Twente on Wednesday in the Europa League.
“Clubs, players and coaches, and so many other players in football must strive to improve this environment and find the right balance.”
He also acknowledged that, “in the end, it’s a financial issue. We are also professionals, so the income has to come, but we have to balance all of that.”
The debate on overloaded schedules in European football has been fuelled in recent days by football stars, notably in England with Alisson (Liverpool) and Rodri (Manchester City).
The increased risk of injuries, raised by these players, also caught up with Rodri on Sunday against Arsenal (2-2) in the Premier League. The Spanish international midfielder, injured at the start of the match, could miss the rest of the season due to a ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, Spanish media reported on Monday.
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