Players & managers react to the Super League

Dirty Schwein

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Arsenal are the third biggest club in England, have a massive fanbase and huge pedigree in world football.

Liverpool, Arsenal and United have always been the big three. So disagree with that argument.
Arsenal are a laughing stock. Every league needs it's whipping boys and that's exactly what arsenal and spurs will be in that super league.

The super league is football dictatorship and elitist mentality.

If arsenal are such a big club, they should find a fecking way back into the big boys tournament through their work on the pitch instead of trying to worm their way back inn like this.
 

amolbhatia50k

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Sir Alex have seen changes, and honestly why and what would he have against a superleague hosted by the clubs instead of UEFA taking a big cut of the money?
Because the eligibility for that cut is only for a select few? That's the whole issue. Money going to clubs is not bad. But 15 clubs given an entitlement is.
 

groovyalbert

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@Pexbo

With more and more managers coming out with platitudes like this I think Klopp’s comments will seem more and more impressive.
I think that's a nothing response that sits completely on the fence, at best.

Managers need to speak against this idea for their words to have any impact. This is just a damage control response that the chairman/board of directors at Madrid will be more than happy for ZZ to reel out.
 

Pexbo

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@Pexbo

With more and more managers coming out with platitudes like this I think Klopp’s comments will seem more and more impressive.
I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree here.The only difference between Klopp and Zidane is that Klopp admitted he doesn’t like it before saying “but I’ll keep doing the job I’m paid to do”. Is that really better? It’s a defeatist attitude if you ask me. Acknowledging that it’s not good but confirming that he’s not going to do anything about it. It’s made magnitudes worse by the fact a couple of hours later he attacks those that are fighting tooth and nail for the fans.
 

Schmeichel's Cartwheel

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It's 12 o'clock British time, in 15 minutes Man Utd v Barcelona will kick off in Tokyo. Please stay tuned after this game as at 3 pm we will be moving to Beijing where Real Madrid will host Juventus. We also remind you that you can watch full Arsenal v Milan game that was played in Guadalajara this morning for free at Amazon Prime+.
Arsenal vs Milan is going to be the super league equivalent of West Brom vs Sheffield. Basement battle.
 

Zehner

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I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree here.The only difference between Klopp and Zidane is that Klopp admitted he doesn’t like it before saying “but I’ll keep doing the job I’m paid to do”. Is that really better? It’s a defeatist attitude if you ask me. Acknowledging that it’s not good but confirming that he’s not going to do anything about it. It’s made magnitudes worse by the fact a couple of hours later he attacks those that are fighting tooth and nail for the fans.
DIdn't Klopp make it clear that they are going to fight against this?
 

Dyslexic Untied

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I am eager to see how Solskjær deals with this next time he is interviewed. He was understandably reserved on Sunday given he had just got the news. Will be disappointed if he doesn't voice his opinion next time though.
 

Hansi Fick

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@Pexbo

With more and more managers coming out with platitudes like this I think Klopp’s comments will seem more and more impressive.
It's good that he expressed an opinion (which he expressed before), but I'm not impressed by his comments. I will give him time to have talks within the club, as apparently most players and managers weren't in the loop about this coup-like proceeding of Sunday.

But Klopp has a lot of power (if only in terms of reputation), if any one manager has, and he takes pride in his morality and considers himself vocal and a stand-up guy. If the clubs proceed with this, he could publicly threaten to resign, for example. Imagine what an impact this could have, as a statement. And imagine what a waste of an opportunity it would be to refrain from leveraging his power.

If he doesn't step up his opposition (internally, ok, but then also publicly), I will not only not be impressed, I will be disappointed.
 
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Pogue Mahone

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It's good that he expressed an opinion (which he expressed before), but I'm not impressed by his comments. I will give him time to have talks within the club, as apparently most players and managers weren't in the loop about this coup-like proceeding of Sunday.

But Klopp has a lot of power (if only in terms of reputation), if any one manager has, and he takes pride in his morality and considers himself vocal and a stand-up guy. If the clubs proceed with this, he could publicly threaten to resign, for example. Imagine what an impact this could have, as a statement. And imagine what a waste of an opportunity it would be to refrain from leveraging his power.

If he doesn't step up his opposition (internally, ok, but then also publicly), I will not only not be impressed, I will be disappointed.
Yeah, same. I just think his initial response is encouraging. Much more encouraging than we’ve heard from any other manager so far. For which he deserves credit IMO.
 

BalanceUnAutreJoint

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I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree here.The only difference between Klopp and Zidane is that Klopp admitted he doesn’t like it before saying “but I’ll keep doing the job I’m paid to do”. Is that really better? It’s a defeatist attitude if you ask me. Acknowledging that it’s not good but confirming that he’s not going to do anything about it. It’s made magnitudes worse by the fact a couple of hours later he attacks those that are fighting tooth and nail for the fans.
The difference between Zidane and Klopp is that

-Klopp has next to no personal relationship with his American owner.

-Florentino Perez brought Zidane to Madrid in 2001, Zidane has lived there for 20 years and has always remained extremely close to Perez at all time, he's like a father figure to him.

Can't compare really.

I'm surprised Zidane doesn't outright give his support to Perez.
 

Glorio

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I think folks expecting managers employed by these clubs to come out and give impassioned responses against this ESL malarkey will be sorely disappointed in most (if not all) cases.

Football is selfish - clubs will quickly discard a manager/player not playing well, players will quickly discard clubs who nurtured them for pastures new, fans will quickly turn on a club legend (manager/player) if their performance doesn't match their standards, so people look after number one.

If Ole comes out for instance, and lambasts Ed and the Glazers, even if the Super League doesn't happen, how long do we think he'll hold his job for? He'll end up with no job and one of the many people crying foul will step in without a second's thought.
 

Chicharo

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I read somewhere that Maguire stood up against Woodward and confronted him because players didn't know anything about this
Any confirmation? If so, well done Harry. I really hope the players and managers will prevent this from actually happening if no one else can't
 

Giggsyking

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@Pexbo

With more and more managers coming out with platitudes like this I think Klopp’s comments will seem more and more impressive.
This just proves the point. Players and managers of the clubs involved they kept their mouth shut (Tuchel, Zidane, etc and more will follow). Klopp had to say what he said yesterday so that he does not change what he said two years ago (I bet he called his bosses to apologize and explain to them). The most vocal ones against this league are players and managers who are not included in this tournament and the motive is obvious, they dont give a shit about the fans, they just are bitter they are not included. A bunch of overpaid hypocrites.
 

Giggsyking

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I think folks expecting managers employed by these clubs to come out and give impassioned responses against this ESL malarkey will be sorely disappointed in most (if not all) cases.

Football is selfish - clubs will quickly discard a manager/player not playing well, players will quickly discard clubs who nurtured them for pastures new, fans will quickly turn on a club legend (manager/player) if their performance doesn't match their standards, so people look after number one.

If Ole comes out for instance, and lambasts Ed and the Glazers, even if the Super League doesn't happen, how long do we think he'll hold his job for? He'll end up with no job and one of the many people crying foul will step in without a second's thought.
If they thinks it is a matter of principle and he is good enough as a manager to get another good job, why should he be afraid?
 

alexthelion

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Of course not. Which is why all the posts about “this was inevitable” and “football sold its soul years ago” are so annoying and irrelevant.
But true.

Actually, you could argue (if you were that way inclined) that with five "merit" places every year thetre's motre opportumity than the PL with only three teams promoted.
 

Varun

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Well done, Pep!

As an aside, it's funny how much bigger he is than City. Took a massive dump not giving a single feck
 

Sarni

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Arsenal vs Milan is going to be the super league equivalent of West Brom vs Sheffield. Basement battle.
To be honest I don't see anyone other than City, Chelsea, Madrid or Barcelona winning this competition anytime soon.
 

hobbers

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Pep did a better job than Jurgen spelling out why it's such a disgusting idea. Fair fecks Pep.
 

sullydnl

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Fair fecks to Pep. Given his status in the game, saying that matters.
 

Pogue Mahone

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"like a man in silk pyjamas shooting pigeons
But true.

Actually, you could argue (if you were that way inclined) that with five "merit" places every year thetre's motre opportumity than the PL with only three teams promoted.
Five “merit” places for the whole of Europe.

EDIT: actually, probably the world. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if these twats try to crowbar in teams from lucrative markets like the US and China.
 

The Purley King

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Fair fecks to Pep. Given his status in the game, saying that matters.
Probably easier to say when he could get any footballing job in the world if he wanted and he is a multi multi millionaire - but my estimation of him has gone up hugely after this.
Well done Pep - hopefully others now follow.
 

Giggsyking

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Says the manager that buys his way to success by spending billions. :D
At least he is saying something. They are all hypocrites but they vary in degrees, but he is better than all the other big six managers. Ole shat his pans when was asked about it.
 

Matt007a

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Pep is in a strong position compared to some of the other managers of ESL teams. He's virtually untouchable as the entire club has been built to fit his model for years and he keeps winning league titles for them. It's easier for him to speak out but I'm still very happy that he has done so.