Ferguson Calls For Winter Break in England

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has responded to a pile up of injured players at Old Trafford by calling again for a winter break in England, insisting that the success of the German national side demonstrates the advantages of a two-week lay-off in January.

Ferguson has been consistent in this stance over the years, but fans and broadcasters have always been thought to oppose the idea of a shut-down, so a German-style break has never come close to being introduced in England.

However, Ferguson believes the decision taken by the football authorities to extend the current season's domestic programme through until the end of May means there is an opportunity in future years to take a mid-winter break.

He was quoted by ITV Sport as saying: "International matches are played during the first two weeks of June anyway so why don't we use that period until the end of May when the weather is better?"

Ferguson has suggested that it is the TV companies who mainly oppose the idea because it would mean they would be without live football in their schedules just when viewing figures tend to rise after Christmas.

He is also convinced that not having a winter break contributes to a spate of injuries in the second half of the season.

Evidence from UEFA's medical department tends to support the idea that playing throughout the winter causes injuries in English football, which in turn tend to flare up in March - when players who have continued to shrug off minor strains suddenly discover they are suffering from more serious complaints.

"Managers have always voiced their opinions in favour of a winter break," said Ferguson.

"The trouble is players carry their strains right through January, then when you get to March it turns into an injury of significance.

"A couple of years back we had four or five injuries in March which could be the result of something like that."

Ferguson points to Germany's international success and sees a direct correlation between that and the fact that the Bundesliga shuts down for three weeks in winter.

"Germany always do well in the World Cup," he observed. "I don't want to be critical of them because I admire what they have achieved in international football."

Resource: Goal.com