Premier League: Pep Guardiola suggests strike action is needed to protect players

Pep Guardiola launched a tirade on the Premier League‘s scheduling – but refused to criticise the Christmas period and aimed thinly-veiled digs at some fellow managers.

The Manchester City boss revealed that he had no problem protecting the sanctity of the festive fixtures and that the problem regarding player welfare extends far further.

Guardiola has consistently banged the drum for introducing five substitutions, which were knocked back by a vote, and appeared restless at his peers.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola launched a tirade on the Premier League’s scheduling

The 50-year-old has opted against attending Thursday’s managers’ meeting, while suggesting that the only way in which clubs can force change over scheduling is by organising a strike before claiming that is not realistically feasible.

‘I know how these meetings are – everybody looks after himself,’ Guardiola said. ‘That’s all. Whatever the Premier League decide with the managers will be OK. Whatever they decide will be good for me.

‘(It) should be the players and the managers all together and make a strike… just through words it’s not going to be solved.

‘I don’t think (a strike will happen) because we want to play, we want to continue. I’m not saying there’s a reason to make a strike. But when people say more competitions, more games and more games and less holidays… we played the first two or three games without players this season.

‘Against Tottenham and the Community Shield against Leicester I didn’t have the squad. We had 10 players. Is that fair for the competition? No, it’s not fair. But they needed holidays, they need a rest for two or three weeks.

‘And now we talk about welfare for players in this moment? Everyone take a look at yourself. For FIFA, the Premier League, the broadcasters, the business is more important than their welfare.’

Guardiola said that the issue regarding player welfare extends far further than festive period

Arguments made to vote against the introduction of five substitutions were to protect the integrity of the competition but Guardiola insists that it would help players.

‘The simplest example is all around the world they have five substitutions,’ he added. ‘Here it’s still three. Tell me one argument that takes care of players’ welfare than this one. Here, where everyone decides for themselves we didn’t do it.

‘The tradition from Boxing Day in football is massively important, it is one of the reasons why the Premier league is so special. This is not going to be changed. I do not approve to play every two days but after three days because it is tradition.’

Meanwhile, City have agreed to allow Ferran Torres a move to Barcelona in a deal that is expected to eventually eclipse £55million.

Meanwhile, City have agreed to allow Ferran Torres a move to Barcelona in £55m-plus deal

Guardiola refused to stand in the 21-year-old’s way after he asked to leave the Etihad Stadium in pursuit of more games.

‘If we had just two or three attacking players then maybe Ferran would think he had more chance to play and stay longer,’ he said.

‘Always I have the feeling that when Barcelona or Real Madrid knock on the door of players then it is difficult to say no. So difficult. They are still the strongest teams in the world in terms of fashion, cities and many reasons.

‘He is from Spain, Barcelona knock and I understand why he wants to leave. When he knocked on my door and said I want to leave, I said leave. Call Txiki (Begiristain), call your smart agent, try to make an agreement. If you can, do it.

‘The guys who want to leave have to leave. Another issue is the agreement between the clubs and the players, this is not my business. The players want to leave but we have to have an agreement with the clubs.’