‘It needs to be addressed’ – Postecoglou voices concern over increasingly congested football schedule

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has backed Son Heung-min’s comments about the congested football schedule, calling for the authorities to address the issue.

The Lilywhites are gearing up to kick off their Europa League campaign against Azerbaijan champions Qarabag just three days before a high-profile Premier League clash against Manchester United.

Son, whose contract with Spurs runs out next summer, is the latest to join the growing chorus of players warning the governing bodies about the demanding football calendar.

The Tottenham skipper emphasised his love for football but highlighted that players run the risk of picking up injuries with the games coming in thick and fast.

“A lot of players came out and said the right things,” Son said in a pre-match press conference (via Football London).

“There’s definitely a lot of games, and as a football fan who loves football, you want to see quality games, not as many as possible.

“You don’t want to see players struggling with injuries. A lot of games, a lot of travelling. We’ve got to look after ourselves, which sometimes it’s very hard.

“We’re not robots. We have to look after that and reduce the games definitely – better quality definitely should be the aim.”

When asked if he echoes Son’s comments about the expanded format, Postecoglou said (via Tottenham’s official website): “Well, not specifically to this competition.

“I have spoken already about the fact we’re getting to a real dangerous level about what our expectations are around players.

“Players don’t get a break between seasons any more like they used to.

“So, it’s going to get to a point where we are not going to have the best players out there playing and more even worse them breaking down for various reasons. It’s definitely something that needs to be addressed.”

Tottenham returned to winning ways over the weekend and will host Qarabag on the back of consecutive victories against Coventry City and Brentford.

Picking up maximum points in their Europa League curtain raiser will be a massive confidence boost for Postecoglou’s side ahead of a blockbuster showdown against Man United at Old Trafford.