Manchester United Boss Alex Ferguson Again Advocates Winter Break

They do it on the continent, and Fergie thinks they should try it in England. But the idea of a mid-winter break has never been widely embraced by the Premier League, and the United boss is not holding his breath this time, either...


Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson thinks the introduction of a winter break to the English Premier League would be a positive step - though he discounts the chances of it happening.

Ferguson has called for a continental-style shut-down in mid-season in the past, arguing that such a break immediately after the traditional Christmas and New Year fixtures would be beneficial.

And he returned to the theme on Friday, when ITV Sport quoted him as saying, "I think David Gill [Manchester United's chief executive] put up a proposal about staggering games so television could still continue every week, but I don't think it will happen."

Ferguson is well aware that the concept has never been particularly popular in England - although the top-flight clubs did once vote in favour of a winter break in principle. However, they failed to propose exactly how it would be scheduled.

But the United boss reckons the extension of the current season by an additional week to accommodate England's World Cup qualifying games against Kazakhstan and Andorra in June offers an ideal opportunity to bring in a winter break.

Gill is due to propose that one round of Premier League fixtures is spread over three weeks in January, which could satisfy the needs of broadcasters while providing the players of all 20 clubs with two weeks' rest to recharge their batteries.

Ferguson feels that players in England suffer more injuries at that time of the year than their European counterparts precisely because they do not get the chance to rest.

"Think about players going through December, playing game after game and the effect that has on them," said Ferguson.

"That is the real tell-tale sign. They play with niggles and strains and by February and March a lot are playing on memory and playing with injuries.

"For some players it could be a long-term problem. There has been a lot of talk about it but I don't think it will change."


Source