Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has thrown his support behind players willing to take a pay cut in exchange for a reduced game schedule.
Ancelotti’s comments come amidst growing concerns over player workload, with leading players facing up to 85 games this season due to the expanded Champions League and revamped Club World Cup.
What Carlo Ancelotti said
The Los Blancos experienced tactician revealed that lessening football schedule to a considerable number of games is necessary for players’ well being and reduction of injury cases.
In his pre-match interview ahead of the La Liga match against Espanyol on Saturday, September 21, Ancelotti said: “Football needs to reflect because the aim is to try to play less games to have less injuries.”
“If that leads to lowering salaries, I don’t think players will have any problem lowering their wages if they play less.”
Top players had already spoken out, with Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham raising concerns about football’s increasingly overloaded fixture list.
Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Rodri recently warned of potential strike action, backed by Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois and Dani Carvajal.
Renowned managers such as Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, and former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp have also expressed their displeasure over the exhaustive schedule.
Furthermore, Ancelotti acknowledged the players’ concerns but noted that this season’s calendar will not change.
He added: “The complaints of coaches and players won’t change this season’s calendar.”
“It’s important to reflect on this, especially for the players, who are getting tired.”
Carlo Ancelotti; most successful Champions League manager
Carlo Ancelotti has etched his name in the history books as the most successful manager in UEFA Champions League history. The Italian tactician boasts a record five Champions League titles, complemented by two additional wins as a player.
Ancelotti’s impressive resume includes managing teams in six Champions League finals, a feat unmatched by any other manager.
As a player, he lifted the European Cup twice with AC Milan in 1989 and 1990, joining an exclusive group of seven individuals to have won the prestigious trophy as both a player and manager.
Ancelotti’s domestic success is equally impressive. He becomes the first and only manager to have won league titles in all of Europe’s top five leagues, showcasing his adaptability and tactical prowess.
On the international stage, Ancelotti has secured three FIFA Club World Cup titles and holds the record for most UEFA Super Cup victories with five, achieved during his tenure with Milan and Real Madrid.
What’s next for Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid?
Real Madrid prepare for Saturday’s LaLiga match against Espanyol following a 3-1 Champions League win over Stuttgart.
The match will take place at Santiago Bernabeu with kick off set at 20:00 GMT.
Consequences of Overloaded football schedule on players
The football world is on high alert as players threaten strike action over excessive game schedules and inadequate rest.
The issue has been lingering for years, but the expansion of UEFA club competitions and FIFA’s Club World Cup only made it worse.
Top players face up to 60 matches per season, plus international games and travel.
However, the Club World Cup’s four-week schedule in June and July has eliminated the traditional summer break, leaving players with insufficient time to rest and recover.
Meanwhile, the consequences of this exhaustion will birth player burnout, potentially reducing their output and increased injury risk.
Possible Solutions To The Congested Football Schedule
Possible solutions to the overloaded schedule include reassessing the Club World Cup format.
Furthermore, the introduction of mandatory rest periods for players will help rejuvenate them and reduces fatigue.
What’s your take on players’ and coaches’ agitations against overloaded football schedules? Feel free to share your opinion and recommendations with us in the comments box below:
