Pep Guardiola calls on players to take initiative for change after Vincent Kompany’s strike call

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on Friday urged players to lead the fight for change amid heated debate over the dangers of extending the fixture list, while Bayern coach Vincent Kompany called for a limit on the number of games played.

City midfielder Rodri recently suggested that players might consider a strike to halt the dramatic increase in fixtures in an already busy schedule.

With the first phase of the Champions League now including two additional matches and the expanded Club World Cup taking place at the end of the season, Guardiola’s Premier League champions could play a maximum of 76 games in the 2024/25 season.

Even top players have to play international matches in their busy schedule.

The global players’ union FIFPro has stated that football players should play a maximum of 50 to 60 games per season, depending on their age.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker also joined the argument, saying that sports governing bodies had not given players the opportunity to voice their concerns.

As the debate intensifies, Guardiola believes that players have the power to bring about change because the sport cannot continue without them.

“I’m pretty sure that if anything is going to change, it has to come from the players,” he said.

“They are the only ones who can make a difference in the organization and raise their voices.

“The business can survive without managers, sporting directors, media and owners, but you can’t play without players. The only ones who have the power to do so are them.”

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, like City, will take part in the Club World Cup in the USA, at a time when the players would otherwise be resting.

The Italian suggested that a strike could be a possible measure to solve the problem.

When asked if there were too many games in the current calendar, Maresca said: “Yes, without a doubt. In terms of the number of games, there are too many.”

“I don’t think we are protecting players. We can say what we think and for me the number of games we have is completely wrong.”

“The only people who can do something are the players and we can help them. Over the last two weeks, some players have tried to explain what they think. I think that’s a good starting point.”

“Some of them have said (they might go on strike). I think this could be an idea for them.”

“Not realistic”

Kompany said there needed to be a cap on the number of games a player could play per year, while Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said players needed to be more involved in decisions about the calendar.

“Playing 75, 80 games, at some point it is no longer realistic,” Kompany said on Friday.

“The solution I’ve always wanted is to put a cap on the number of games a player can play as an individual. Put a cap on it, put a mandatory vacation time (for players).”

Alonso, the coach of German Bundesliga champions Leverkusen, expressed his understanding for Rodri’s comments.

“Professional players must be involved in these decisions because we want to see good football,” he said. “The schedule is very tight. They must be heard.”

Kompany has spoken out on the issue before and was a member of FIFPro during his time on the football pitch, where he captained Manchester City and the Belgian national team.

The 38-year-old said the cap was “the best of both worlds” as it would “take the pressure off the clubs”.

He also said the model must “always include exceptions for finals – we cannot take that away from the players”.

Kompany promised that there would be squad rotations in the coming weeks as Bayern have football commitments during the week.

“We are talking about a busy schedule and stress for the players. Our squad is not a luxury, we need it to achieve our goals.”

(This article has not been edited by News18’s editorial team and is taken from the feed of a syndicated news agency – AFP.)