Roberto Martínez has warned that Premier League clubs face continued disappointment in Europe unless they receive more assistance from the English authorities.
The Everton manager believes English football is “shooting itself in the foot” in terms of European competition by refusing to introduce a winter break or enforcing late kick-off times for teams involved in midweek Champions League or Europa League fixtures.
Martínez is the last Premier League manager standing in Europe after Manchester City’s exit against Barcelona and is aiming to reach the Europa League quarter-finals at the expense of Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday. He claims European clubs have an advantage over their English rivals by playing in less competitive divisions than the Premier League but measures can be taken closer to home to protect qualifying teams.
The Spaniard said: “The British competition demands every game to be 100%. I don’t think you can win a game in the Premier League at 70% whereas teams that play in other leagues in Europe can cruise through games and can get through them at 50%. The intensity is not the same compared to the Premier League. Also, a break in the winter would enable the players to regenerate and refresh. A key moment in the season is February and March so I think the biggest teams are a little bit unfairly treated.”
Martínez also believes the Premier League and broadcasters could show more consideration in scheduling fixtures after European trips. Everton’s league game at Manchester United last October kicked off early on a Sunday following a Europa League group game at the Russian club Krasnodar on the Thursday, with Martínez’s men losing 2-1. Liverpool kicked off on a Sunday at noon against Manchester City this month having returned from their Europa League exit at Besiktas in the early hours of the previous Friday.
“I find that Thursday and Sunday is very tough, especially because the trips are longer than in the Champions League and some kick-off times are very early,” added Martínez. “We had a big advantage last week to play Dynamo Kyiv at home before Newcastle at home on the Sunday at 4pm. I noticed a big difference when it was Krasnodar away, followed by Old Trafford at midday on the Sunday.
“I think that should be respected and the Europa League teams should play at least at 4pm, and also be given as many home games as possible on the Sunday when they are away on the Thursday. We should protect our English teams a bit more, otherwise we shoot ourselves in the foot.”
