From Marcelo Bielsa to Boris Johnson: How politicians, players, pundits and managers have reacted to the European Super LeagueFrom Marcelo Bielsa to Boris Johnson: How politicians, players, pundits and managers have reacted to the European Super League
From Marcelo Bielsa to Boris Johnson: How politicians, players, pundits and managers have reacted to the European Super League

European Super League: how politicians, players and managers have reacted - from Pep Guardiola to Boris Johnson

A number of players and pundits have expressed their dismay and frustration following the announcement
Ethan Shone
By Ethan Shone
20th Apr 2021, 5:38pm
Updated 20th Apr 2021, 5:52pm

The world of football was set alight when news of a new European Super League involving many of the largest clubs in Europe broke on Sunday evening.

Since then, major figures from across the sport, as well as celebrities and politicians, have weighed in with near-universal condemnation of the plans.Here’s what they had to say.

“No, I don’t think it’s a great idea. I know our owners, they are reasonable people, they are serious people, they care about us. They never have to explain these kinds of decisions to me. I was not involved in the process at all, I got the information yesterday. “There will be a moment for sure when our owners say what they have to say, definitely. “I’m here as a football coach and a manager, and I will do that for as long as people let me do that. “I feel responsible for the team, I feel responsible for the club, and I feel responsible for the relationship we have with our fans. That’s why it’s a very tough time, I’m sure. “I will try to help sort it somehow.”

1. Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager

“No, I don’t think it’s a great idea. I know our owners, they are reasonable people, they are serious people, they care about us. They never have to explain these kinds of decisions to me. I was not involved in the process at all, I got the information yesterday. “There will be a moment for sure when our owners say what they have to say, definitely. “I’m here as a football coach and a manager, and I will do that for as long as people let me do that. “I feel responsible for the team, I feel responsible for the club, and I feel responsible for the relationship we have with our fans. That’s why it’s a very tough time, I’m sure. “I will try to help sort it somehow.” Photo: (Photo by Lee Smith - Pool/Getty Images)

“Of course [the European Super League] causes harm to football. This should not surprise any of us. The stronger teams think they have the most influence in generating revenue in football and if you take into account this logic, when the rest of the teams are no longer necessary for them, they take privilege in their own interests and they forget about the rest. “Football always has a view which is more commercial now, it's natural in the world of businesses, looking only at the economic aspect, that the ones that produce the most, demand the majority of it. “That's something that is common in the world of business, but football is not only a business, but before or after it was going to happen because football belongs to everybody, even if there are owners. The real owners of football are the ones who love the badge and without them football will disappear."

2. Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United manager

“Of course [the European Super League] causes harm to football. This should not surprise any of us. The stronger teams think they have the most influence in generating revenue in football and if you take into account this logic, when the rest of the teams are no longer necessary for them, they take privilege in their own interests and they forget about the rest. “Football always has a view which is more commercial now, it's natural in the world of businesses, looking only at the economic aspect, that the ones that produce the most, demand the majority of it. “That's something that is common in the world of business, but football is not only a business, but before or after it was going to happen because football belongs to everybody, even if there are owners. The real owners of football are the ones who love the badge and without them football will disappear." Photo: (Photo by Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images)

In a statement, Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister confirmed the Government will not stand by while a small handful of owners create a closed shop. "He was clear that no action is off the table and the Government is exploring every possibility, including legislative options, to ensure these proposals are stopped."

3. Boris Johnson

In a statement, Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister confirmed the Government will not stand by while a small handful of owners create a closed shop. "He was clear that no action is off the table and the Government is exploring every possibility, including legislative options, to ensure these proposals are stopped." Photo: (Photo by Jacob King - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“The football authorities have robust rules in place to deal with this, and I know from my conversations today that they are rightfully considering a wide range of sanctions and measures to stop this move in its tracks. My message to them was clear: they have our full backing. “But be in no doubt: if they can’t act, we will. “We will put everything on the table to prevent this from happening.”

4. Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary

“The football authorities have robust rules in place to deal with this, and I know from my conversations today that they are rightfully considering a wide range of sanctions and measures to stop this move in its tracks. My message to them was clear: they have our full backing. “But be in no doubt: if they can’t act, we will. “We will put everything on the table to prevent this from happening.” Photo: (Photo by Rob Pinney/Getty Images)

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Related topics:European Super LeaguePep GuardiolaBoris JohnsonEurope