Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen Coaches Call for Action on Player Workload amid Talks of Strikes

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany and Bayer Leverkusen counterpart Xabi Alonso are leading the charge in calling for action on player workload, as talks of strikes loom in the football world.

Kompany and Alonso have both expressed concerns about the increasing number of fixtures and the toll it takes on players. With the Champions League adding more games and FIFA’s Club World Cup expanding to 32 teams, players are facing a grueling schedule without much rest.

Top clubs could play up to 75 games this season, a number that Kompany believes is unrealistic. He has proposed a cap on the number of games a player can play each year, as well as mandatory rest periods for players.

Players like Rodri, Alisson, and Courtois have also voiced their support for potential strike action if the workload continues to increase. Alonso emphasized the importance of involving players in decisions about the fixture calendar to ensure the quality of football remains high.

Kompany, who was a member of the FIFPro players union during his playing career, believes that implementing a cap on games played would benefit both players and clubs. He also stressed the importance of exceptions for finals to ensure players have the opportunity to compete at the highest level.

As Bayern Munich prepares for their upcoming match against Werder Bremen, Kompany hinted at squad rotations to manage the crowded schedule. The coach also provided an update on veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s fitness, following an injury scare in their recent match.

With the support of influential figures like Kompany and Alonso, the push for better player welfare and workload management in football is gaining momentum. It remains to be seen how governing bodies will respond to these calls for change.