Man City position emerges as Super League relaunch plans confirmed
According to Football Insider’s sources, Super League organizers are getting increasingly resigned to the fact that attempts to resurrect the breakaway tournament would have to proceed without English clubs like Manchester City.
In April of last year, City was one of nine clubs to withdraw from the Super League almost immediately after its inauguration provoked an unprecedented surge of protests.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus, however, have stayed unwavering in their dedication to the competition that, in the words of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, is the only way to “save football.”
Last Wednesday, A22 Sports Management, the company tasked with assisting in the formation of the Super League, appointed Bernd Reichart as their new CEO (19 October).
The former German television czar has announced plans to begin in time for the 2024-25 season, the same year that competitors Uefa are scheduled to implement a new Champions League model.
Reichart has also stated that the door remains open for English clubs to discuss the updated ideas for the league, which will comprise 20 teams as opposed to the initial 12 and a promotion-relegation structure.
But a source with knowledge of the Premier League’s internal politics informed Football Insider that English teams recognize that even with a clever new PR plan, there is virtually no chance of selling Super League to their fans.
A22 is aware that the prospective installation of an independent regulator with the authority to prevent teams from joining breakaway leagues is another obstacle to their objectives, in addition to the lack of support from fans.
During Liz Truss’ brief tenure in Downing Street, the future of the independent regulator was uncertain, but Rishi Sunak’s team is believed to be more amenable to the idea.
Several members of the Super League cabal have also appointed new supporter boards that would undoubtedly campaign against any efforts to revive the competition with the same vigor that quashed the uprising in April.
Liverpool had already declared that its position on the Super League has not altered, as reported by the Liverpool ECHO.
“Football can do better”, states Bernd Reichart, our new CEO. That’s why we will organize a broad dialogue with clubs, fans and all those who want to build a better home for #EuropeanClubFootball. Watch his video statement: pic.twitter.com/TbHntRy0pv
— A22 Sports (@A22Sports) October 19, 2022
When questioned about a return to the Super League in September, new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly refused to provide a “hard no.”
There has been no official comment from the two Manchester clubs, Tottenham, or Arsenal, but new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly would not give a “hard no.”
When contacted, A22 declined to comment and instead directed Football Insider to Reichart’s recent media appearances.
Man City position emerges as Super League relaunch plans confirmed
