Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has backed Jurgen Klopp’s vehement stance on fixture congestion, joining with his title-rival to condemn the amount of matches the game’s elite players are expected to fulfill.
Earlier today, Liverpool boss Klopp launched a passionate attack on the amount of games that his players are required to fulfill and has challenged football governing bodies, the FA and UEFA to treat the issue with more concern.
"The discussion is obvious that it is too much [football]. Let's have a look at how they deal with it. If you change the schedule, it is all OK. At the end of January, after a busy December, there are two semis.
"Why have two semi-final [legs]? We have FA Cup games at the weekend. No-one wants to touch it."
The charismatic German coach felt that the current fixture commitments placed upon the world’s best players will only serve to limit the careers of those competing at the highest level.
“We wonder why the best players in the world cannot perform as good as they can for as long as they want," he added.
"People say [we should] have a bigger squad. In the moment, it’s a imbalance between squad numbers and the amount of breaks they need.
"Two weeks off a year [not enough]."
In response to Klopp’s protestations, former Barcelona coach Guardiola was in full-agreement with his foe in regards to the demands his players are under.
“[I] completely agree. How we pay bigger squads for the clubs? Less fixtures, less competitions, more recovery.
“We play 27 times in the winter time.
“I prioritise [in the Carabao Cup]. I don’t play Gundogan, Kevin, Silva. Jurgen has done the same, Chelsea, Arsenal. The players who don’t play more regularly play more often. It’s too much.”
Like Klopp, the two-time Premier League champion boss seemed to be unwavering in his belief that the game’s governing bodies are simply not doing enough to protect football’s elite-level performers.
“Always we talk about it in UEFA meetings but nothing. I am completely with Jurgen when he makes statements that it’s too much.”
