Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has launched a startling critique of the Premier League's demanding schedule, drawing direct parallels with the relentless pace of the NBA basketball season.
The Catalan tactician didn't hold back in his assessment, describing the physical and mental toll on players as reaching unprecedented levels that threaten the very quality of the sport.
'It's Like the NBA - But Worse'
Guardiola's explosive comments came as he reflected on the punishing calendar facing modern footballers. 'Right now, it is like the NBA. The amount of games is so tough,' he stated, before delivering his most damning assessment: 'But the NBA has one difference - they play five, six games a week, but they don't have international breaks.'
The City boss emphasised that this constant cycle of domestic and international commitments creates an unsustainable burden that could ultimately diminish the spectacle fans pay to watch.
The Growing Concern for Player Welfare
Guardiola's warning comes amid increasing concern across football about fixture congestion and its impact on player health and performance.
'The players are not going to sustain it,' he declared bluntly, highlighting how the physical demands have escalated beyond previous generations. 'The players 20 or 30 years ago were better than us? No, better than now? No. But the demands are higher.'
His comments reflect a growing chorus of managers and pundits questioning whether football's governing bodies are prioritising commercial interests over the wellbeing of the athletes.
Manchester's Title Defence Under Pressure
As Manchester City pursue another Premier League title, Guardiola's concerns carry particular weight. The physical and mental freshness of his squad could prove decisive in what promises to be another tightly contested race.
The manager's comments suggest he's deeply worried about how the relentless schedule might impact his team's ability to maintain their famously intense playing style throughout the season.
With international breaks, domestic cups, European competitions and league fixtures creating a perfect storm of commitments, Guardiola's NBA comparison serves as a stark warning to football authorities about the direction the sport is heading.
