UEFA Cup to have name change?

Nick 0208 Ldn · 7th July 2008, 20:46

NYON, Switzerland, July 7 (Reuters) - European soccer's governing body UEFA is considering changing the name of its second tier UEFA Cup competition to the UEFA Europa League.

The planned rebranding was revealed by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the acting chairman of the new European Clubs Association, whose organisation was presented with the proposal on Monday.

"The hope is that a refreshment of the name and brand can help achieve better results than we've seen in the UEFA Cup in the past," Rummenigge later told a media conference at UEFA's Swiss headquarters.

"There has been a general impression that it has become a second-class competition and that we should get back to how it was ten or 15 years ago."

A senior UEFA source confirmed to Reuters that UEFA's executive committee would vote on the name change when it meets in Bordeaux in September.

He said the new name was meant to better reflect the new group stage system being used in the competition from the 2009-10 season, in a direct copy of UEFA's much more successful Champions League competition.

UEFA announced in December that it was revamping the UEFA Cup's format, dropping the unpopular five-team groups in which teams play each opponent just once either home or away in favour of a simpler home and away system.

From 2009 UEFA will also be marketing the competition centrally, in another lesson learned from the lucrative Champions League, and hopes that the new name will help distinguish it from the previous UEFA Cup format.

Crustanoid · 7th July 2008, 20:52

UEFAs motto...'If it ain't broke, break it'

Alex · 7th July 2008, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crustanoid

UEFAs motto...'If it ain't broke, break it'

Clearly

IBleedRed · 7th July 2008, 20:54

sounds like marketing advertising bollocks to me

Nick 0208 Ldn · 7th July 2008, 21:02

To be fair to them, the UEFA Cup does have a problem [well a few in fact].

Though many would say it is beyond repair and of all things a name change should not be anywhere near the top of their damage report list.

lynchie · 7th July 2008, 21:08

It's been second rate since they expanded the number of teams qualifying for the European Cup from each country.

Twisted_Woody · 7th July 2008, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick 0208 Ldn

NYON, Switzerland, July 7 (Reuters) - European soccer's governing body UEFA is considering changing the name of its second tier UEFA Cup competition to the UEFA Europa League.

The planned rebranding was revealed by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the acting chairman of the new European Clubs Association, whose organisation was presented with the proposal on Monday.

"The hope is that a refreshment of the name and brand can help achieve better results than we've seen in the UEFA Cup in the past," Rummenigge later told a media conference at UEFA's Swiss headquarters.

"There has been a general impression that it has become a second-class competition and that we should get back to how it was ten or 15 years ago."

A senior UEFA source confirmed to Reuters that UEFA's executive committee would vote on the name change when it meets in Bordeaux in September.

He said the new name was meant to better reflect the new group stage system being used in the competition from the 2009-10 season, in a direct copy of UEFA's much more successful Champions League competition.

UEFA announced in December that it was revamping the UEFA Cup's format, dropping the unpopular five-team groups in which teams play each opponent just once either home or away in favour of a simpler home and away system.

From 2009 UEFA will also be marketing the competition centrally, in another lesson learned from the lucrative Champions League, and hopes that the new name will help distinguish it from the previous UEFA Cup format.

Wasn't it always meant to be - Champions Cup/League is the first class one, and the UEFA Cup is the 2nd rate one - done in an effort to help the lower clubs develop etc......or so I thought....bah whatever

Ivor Ballokov · 7th July 2008, 22:08

Bring back the cup winners cup.

Count Duckula · 7th July 2008, 22:53

Hang on... are they complaining because it's viewed as a second tier cup and is less successful than the Champion's League?

May I hazard a guess that it's not less viewed because of the name, or the group format, but because people around the world would much rather watch Manchester United v Real Madrid, Inter v Arsenal and Barcelona v Bayern Munich than Everton v Zenit, Marseille v Getafe or Palermo v Leverkusen.

lynchie · 7th July 2008, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Count Duckula

Hang on... are they complaining because it's viewed as a second tier cup and is less successful than the Champion's League?

May I hazard a guess that it's not less viewed because of the name, or the group format, but because people around the world would much rather watch Manchester United v Real Madrid, Inter v Arsenal and Barcelona v Bayern Munich than Everton v Zenit, Marseille v Getafe or Palermo v Leverkusen.

Maybe they should ban debt ridden English clubs from the Champions League so they can up the standard in Uefa Cup? Eh M. Platini? At least United could finally fill that gaping gap in the trophy cabinet.

jasonrh · 8th July 2008, 01:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisted_Woody

Wasn't it always meant to be - Champions Cup/League is the first class one, and the UEFA Cup is the 2nd rate one - done in an effort to help the lower clubs develop etc......or so I thought....bah whatever

Yes.

You have to admire UEFA at suddenly wanting to damage the prestige of the tournament they have spent so much time and effort building up in order to promote...the UEFA Cup.

Raven_Blade · 8th July 2008, 01:32

The simple truth is that the UEFA Cup is second rate compared to the UEFA Champions League. Thats just the way both competitions have been set up. They can change the name if they want to but it will still host the teams that have failed to qualify for its more illustrious big brother.

Brad · 8th July 2008, 01:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crustanoid

UEFAs motto...'If it ain't broke, break it'

'If it's not broke, more likely than not Eufa didn't have a role in its existance' perhaps?

Amusing complaint that their second tier competition is 'second class'. Given it used to be third class behind the Cup Winners Cup, you'd think they'd be happy!

I thought the FA were a bunch of bumbling knowledgeless idiots...

Dr. Dwayne · 8th July 2008, 13:56

How about renaming it "The Champion's League's Ugly Sister"?

jdmufc · 8th July 2008, 14:06

it may be the champions leagues ugly sister but it still does serve a purpose.
it gives the lesser teams something to actually play for.
imagine being a bolton fan (tough i know) but then getting to travel around europe for a game or two.
remember the days when we only ever had the uefa cup or the cup winners cup, we were not so dismissive then!!

Wizard Keyaz · 8th July 2008, 14:23

I think Liverpool should go and play in this renamed cup as I think Liverpool is not worthy of playing in the Champions League!

Nanison · 8th July 2008, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

'If it's not broke, more likely than not Eufa didn't have a role in its existance' perhaps?

Amusing complaint that their second tier competition is 'second class'. Given it used to be third class behind the Cup Winners Cup, you'd think they'd be happy!

I thought the FA were a bunch of bumbling knowledgeless idiots...

Back in the day it was more difficult to win the UEFA cup than the European cup. It had one more round and it had the 2nd and 3rd placed teams of the big leagues.

The likes of Real Madrid of Juventus normally would easily play the semi finals of the European cup. The first 2 rounds were piss easy usually

Striker10 · 8th July 2008, 19:17

change the name? what are they thinking

The only way to improve the uefa cup, is to change the format of the champions league to be champions only

They are as stupid as fuck

Wonder Pigeon · 8th July 2008, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Striker10

change the name? what are they thinking

The only way to improve the uefa cup, is to change the format of the champions league to be champions only

They are as stupid as fuck

Ding ding ding ding!

Also bring back the Cup Winners Cup please.

Team Brian GB · 9th July 2008, 03:25

Man United made £34million in television rights from the Champions League last year, Tottenham due to the UEFA Cup made £350,000- and UEFA thinks a name change can turn this around?

BazzaBear · 9th July 2008, 10:23

Next thing you know, they'll decide that the first division is a second class competition compared to the Premiership, and they'll rename it to 'The Championship' or something.

Oh, wait...

Ecroyd · 9th July 2008, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by BazzaBear

Next thing you know, they'll decide that the first division is a second class competition compared to the Premiership, and they'll rename it to 'The Championship' or something.

Oh, wait...

or the conference isnt an exciting name so they will change it to the blue square premier league,

Number7 · 9th July 2008, 10:45

All they can do to give it more prestigue is to let the winner into the following seasons Champions League. I find it a bit wierd that they don't allow this already unlessthey qualify through their league.

Partizan · 9th July 2008, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crustanoid

UEFAs motto...'If it ain't broke, break it'

Aint that the unvarnished truth.

Ixion · 9th July 2008, 11:32

Whats in a name? That which we call a shit, by any other name would smell as bad.

(Bring back the Cup Winners Cup!)

7th July 2008, 20:46	#1 (permalink)
Nick 0208 Ldn First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Londinium ~ I apologise in advance for my prolific amount of typos. embarrassed Posts: 6,250	UEFA Cup to have name change? NYON, Switzerland, July 7 (Reuters) - European soccer's governing body UEFA is considering changing the name of its second tier UEFA Cup competition to the UEFA Europa League. The planned rebranding was revealed by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the acting chairman of the new European Clubs Association, whose organisation was presented with the proposal on Monday. "The hope is that a refreshment of the name and brand can help achieve better results than we've seen in the UEFA Cup in the past," Rummenigge later told a media conference at UEFA's Swiss headquarters. "There has been a general impression that it has become a second-class competition and that we should get back to how it was ten or 15 years ago." A senior UEFA source confirmed to Reuters that UEFA's executive committee would vote on the name change when it meets in Bordeaux in September. He said the new name was meant to better reflect the new group stage system being used in the competition from the 2009-10 season, in a direct copy of UEFA's much more successful Champions League competition. UEFA announced in December that it was revamping the UEFA Cup's format, dropping the unpopular five-team groups in which teams play each opponent just once either home or away in favour of a simpler home and away system. From 2009 UEFA will also be marketing the competition centrally, in another lesson learned from the lucrative Champions League, and hopes that the new name will help distinguish it from the previous UEFA Cup format.

7th July 2008, 20:52	#2 (permalink)
Crustanoid Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancs Posts: 1,696	UEFAs motto...'If it ain't broke, break it'

7th July 2008, 20:54	#4 (permalink)
IBleedRed likes to use pantyhose Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: apparently uses the term "limey" too much Posts: 4,026	sounds like marketing advertising bollocks to me

7th July 2008, 21:02	#5 (permalink)
Nick 0208 Ldn First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Londinium ~ I apologise in advance for my prolific amount of typos. embarrassed Posts: 6,250	To be fair to them, the UEFA Cup does have a problem [well a few in fact]. Though many would say it is beyond repair and of all things a name change should not be anywhere near the top of their damage report list.

7th July 2008, 21:08	#6 (permalink)
lynchie Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3,239	It's been second rate since they expanded the number of teams qualifying for the European Cup from each country.

7th July 2008, 22:08	#8 (permalink)
Ivor Ballokov Reserve Team Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: old south wales Posts: 3,078	Bring back the cup winners cup.

7th July 2008, 22:53	#9 (permalink)
Count Duckula First Team Sub Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: In the corner, losing my religion. Posts: 5,716	Hang on... are they complaining because it's viewed as a second tier cup and is less successful than the Champion's League? May I hazard a guess that it's not less viewed because of the name, or the group format, but because people around the world would much rather watch Manchester United v Real Madrid, Inter v Arsenal and Barcelona v Bayern Munich than Everton v Zenit, Marseille v Getafe or Palermo v Leverkusen.

8th July 2008, 01:32	#12 (permalink)
Raven_Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Somewhere im not supposed to be. Posts: 16,315	The simple truth is that the UEFA Cup is second rate compared to the UEFA Champions League. Thats just the way both competitions have been set up. They can change the name if they want to but it will still host the teams that have failed to qualify for its more illustrious big brother.

8th July 2008, 13:56	#14 (permalink)
Dr. Dwayne self confessed womens pantie wearer Join Date: May 2006 Location: form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Posts: 11,087	How about renaming it "The Champion's League's Ugly Sister"?

8th July 2008, 14:06	#15 (permalink)
jdmufc Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: down and out...not a bit of it.....they are never out!!! Posts: 895	it may be the champions leagues ugly sister but it still does serve a purpose. it gives the lesser teams something to actually play for. imagine being a bolton fan (tough i know) but then getting to travel around europe for a game or two. remember the days when we only ever had the uefa cup or the cup winners cup, we were not so dismissive then!!

8th July 2008, 14:23	#16 (permalink)
Wizard Keyaz Caf's Confucious Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: To overcome evil with good is good, to resist evil by evil is evil - Mohammed (PBUH) Posts: 10,579	I think Liverpool should go and play in this renamed cup as I think Liverpool is not worthy of playing in the Champions League!

8th July 2008, 19:17	#18 (permalink)
Striker10 First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,998	change the name? what are they thinking The only way to improve the uefa cup, is to change the format of the champions league to be champions only They are as stupid as fuck

9th July 2008, 03:25	#20 (permalink)
Team Brian GB Celery chucker at the Bridge. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: London Posts: 1,244	Man United made £34million in television rights from the Champions League last year, Tottenham due to the UEFA Cup made £350,000- and UEFA thinks a name change can turn this around?

9th July 2008, 10:23	#21 (permalink)
BazzaBear Definately Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,600	Next thing you know, they'll decide that the first division is a second class competition compared to the Premiership, and they'll rename it to 'The Championship' or something. Oh, wait...

9th July 2008, 10:45	#23 (permalink)
Number7 Ret's Slave Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 21,440	All they can do to give it more prestigue is to let the winner into the following seasons Champions League. I find it a bit wierd that they don't allow this already unlessthey qualify through their league.

9th July 2008, 11:32	#25 (permalink)
Ixion Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greater Manchester Posts: 3,150	Whats in a name? That which we call a shit, by any other name would smell as bad. (Bring back the Cup Winners Cup!)