Thomas Tuchel says the June international window does not make sense for national team managers due to the drastically different schedules of squad members, with this year’s window complicated by potential headaches over the expanded Club World Cup.
The England boss called for Fifa to “align the calendar” for “the better of the players”, but it is the governing body’s new competition that is going to increase the tension around the window.
Tuchel pointed out that he will be one of many coaches forced to deal with a squad made up of some players just in from European club finals, and others who have been off for weeks, with some then immediately having to jet off to America for a month-long tournament.
The Premier League season finishes on 25 May, the Champions League final takes place on 31 May, with England then travelling to Andorra for a World Cup qualifier on 7 June, before hosting Senegal at home on 10 June. The Club World Cup is due to start just five days later.
England’s players from Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid can arrive in the US three days before their first games in the competition, rather than the standard five.
Despite Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s eagerness to push the Club World Cup, the world governing body has to give priority to national teams due to the international breaks being protected. This also applies to friendlies, since the teams don’t get to dictate when the qualifiers fall, and it would be unfair to penalise them if they had a non-competitive game first.
Whether players can leave for the Club World Cup early may be down to Tuchel’s discretion, but it does sum up one of many issues with the modern football calendar.
“It is one qualifier and maybe the chance to change the squad a bit in between and give players the chance to play the friendly who are not involved in the World Club Cup,” Tuchel said. “We will see.
“I am just worried about the pause of the players,” the England manager went on. “I am not so concerned about the amount of games the players play in total. I am more concerned that they never have a real break of three to four weeks.
“Maybe they have three weeks holiday but maybe after five days they play another competition. That’s the problem. They should have a minimum three or three and a half weeks of preparation and then it would be better for everyone.
“In general, being a club coach or international coach, the Fifa June window is I think debatable if it makes sense. Not everyone plays a Champions League final or a club final so there is this awkward period for a player. They have 10 or 14 days break, then they go to international, then they give them a little bit of holiday but they think: ‘Other players are on holiday. I need to come back.’
“So the June window is not ideal for anyone, especially the players. But it’s there. I think it’s Fifa who can maybe align the calendar and maybe find a gap where we put this window … for the better of the players.”
England captain Harry Kane said the players are ultimately not being listened to.
“It’s a hard situation. I think there’s arguments for both,” he explained. “There are arguments from the club’s point of view, to generate more money, because we probably earn more money. And there’s also a player welfare point where there’s only so much you can do without more injuries and more situations like that.
“So it is a real hard balance. I don’t think the players are listened to that much, if I’m totally honest. But also, like I said, everyone wants their piece, their tournament, their prize, and the players are kind of the people who have to get on with it. But it is what it is.
“I love playing football, so I’m never going to complain about playing football. I think if you manage it well, with your coaches and your manager and your clubs, there’s ways of getting more rest in certain moments. But it’s not an easy question, it’s not an easy situation. I think there could be a balance from both sides, but we’d have to see how that pans out.”
Kane said that the players are adapting to what is a tweaked schedule, with the Club World Cup looming over the season. Many clubs have had to tailor their physical conditioning programmes, as the captain also backed Tuchel’s comments on the lack of a break.
“I think we’re getting used to it, to be honest,” Kane said. “Of course it’s another summer where you don’t really have a break. I guess we just have to see how the season goes. If we get to the Champions League final, that’s 31st May, and then you’ll almost go straight into England, straight into Club World Cup. So there pretty much won’t be any time.
“If we don’t get to the Champions League final, we have a little period before the international break. So I think it’s just trying to manage the moments. You know, it is what it is. There’s nothing really we can do about it. You just have to try and talk to your coaches, manage the best you can, and try to get as much time as you can when the opportunity arises.
“But ultimately, it’s hard to pick and choose, because every game is important. Playing for Bayern Munich is important. Playing for England is important. Everyone has their goals that they want to achieve. And as a player, you have to accept that. So, we’ll see what happens come the end of the season with Bayern Munich, and then we’ll do our best to make sure I’ll get as much rest. And you know, it ain’t just fully loaded up until next World Cup.”
