Uefa to review away-goals' rule at request of coaching panel featuring Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger
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Your support makes all the difference.Uefa will review the away-goals rule in European competitions in response to a request from several of Europe’s top club coaches, the governing body has confirmed.
Tuesday saw a host of leading managerial names gather in Nyon for the annual Elite Club Coaches’ Forum, which allows renowned coaches to swap ideas and opinions with each other and with Uefa about club competitions and the future of the European game.
Those in attendance included Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, PSG coach Thomas Tuchel, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri, Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino were not present, but that did not prevent the coaches who were suggesting a number of changes that could significantly alter the landscape of European football – most notably a review of the away-goals’ rule, which has been in use since 1965.
“The coaches think that scoring goals away is not as difficult as it was in the past,” Uefa deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti said after the meeting. “They think the rule should be reviewed and that's what we will do.”
The away-goals’ rule has attracted criticism in recent years from those who suggest that, while encouraging away teams to attack more frequently, it also makes home sides more reluctant to commit large numbers of men forward for fear of conceding on the counter-attack.
Marchetti also revealed that the coaches are overwhelmingly in favour of other major leagues following the example of the Premier League in closing the summer transfer window before the start of a new season, with a synchronised deadline across Europe the most desirable option.
“The coaches are of an opinion that there should be a unified window and the window should close before the competition starts,” he added. “The idea would be to try and bring them into line.”
Uefa took the opportunity to give the coaches a technical presentation of various video assistant referee (VAR) situations that occurred at last summer’s World Cup in Russia.
“These forums are interesting occasions,” Ancelotti told Uefa’s official website. “We reflect on the technical and tactical side of the game, and how football is changing.
“Part of a coach’s education is through these events that give you a chance to talk with others and get to know people.”
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