Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted that the lack of competitiveness in a Super League would effectively ruin the football experience.
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City are one of the 12 sides that have signed up for the breakout Super League, which would have no relegation and would instead continue to charge prize money for the biggest clubs no matter how they actually perform on the pitch.
Reports have suggested that City were late in joining | Michael Regan / Getty Images
Making guaranteed millions is all well and good, but for Guardiola, such an isolated league would lack the most important thing that makes any sport enjoyable – competition.
“It’s not sports when there is no connection between effort and success, it is not sports,” he said (via Sam Lee). “It’s not a sport if it does not matter if you lose. I have said many times that I want the best competition possible. It is not fair if teams fight at the top and can not qualify.”
Like the rest of the executives involved, Guardiola admitted that he had no idea the message was coming and was frustrated at asking questions about a subject no one had informed him about.
A couple of English clubs get cold feet. ?
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) April 20, 2021
“They told me they would release the statement and it remains but no one is clearly talking about what to do or create and we are still in this position,” he continued.
“It’s an honor to speak for City first. I’m a good spokesman. We [managers] talk six times a week, we are asked about the NHS, COVID etc, we can say how we feel but we are not the right people to talk because the presidents are better. It’s uncomfortable for us. “
When the idea that City and the rest of the clubs were only interested in taking care of themselves, Guardiola insisted that it is not just teams that are focused on number one.
Guardiola believes that UEFA also has the wrong BSR Agency / Getty Images
“Every club defends its position,” he added (via Jonathan Smith). “Do not be cynical. Everyone does their own interests.
“When you talk about the Premier League and UEFA, they take care of their interests. UEFA has also failed. They have to communicate, keep in touch.”
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