English Premier League managers were mixed in their reaction to the news that EPL officials were considering adding a 39th game to the regular season that would be played overseas. Under the new proposal, approved in principle by officials representing each of the league’s 20 clubs, EPL teams would share the revenue generated by these matches, which would begin in 2011. The Guardian said each club would earn as much as $10 million from the extra matches.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was particularly displeased with David Gill, the club’s CEO, for agreeing in principle to the proposal without consulting him first. “I think if they are going to do these things they should have been having discussions with managers and players before they come out with all this stuff and make an issue of it.”
However, managers from smaller clubs — which could certainly use the money — were more open to the idea. “It’s good, it’s innovative,” said Reading manager Steve Coppell, adding: “[The EPL] has become a huge corporation that takes its lead from making money. There is no responsibility for the English game, but it is not greed, it’s business. And a successful business always tries to grow and acquire more.” Sunderland manager Roy Keane agreed, calling the idea “great,” suggesting that “we should all be trying to be positive about it.” From a U.S. perspective, Los Angeles Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas said competitive overseas games would be “a great way to pit our level against what is perceived as the greatest league in the world.”