Borussia Mönchengladbach’s coach Adi Hütter is critical of the proposal. “Basically, you can reconsider and think about everything. But I don’t know if it’s fair if fourth, who is maybe 15 points behind first after 34 laps, can still become champion,” said the man from Vorarlberg on Thursday.
Hütter referred to the model implemented in Austria since 2018 with a division of points after the basic round. “We have had it in Austria for a long time that the league is divided into an upper and a lower play-off after 22 games.” In Germany, however, one can apparently even imagine a knockout mode.
Play-off and Supercup in Saudi Arabia?
Hopfen had brought possible knockout games back into the conversation. “The league would of course be more attractive if it had more competition at the top,” said the 45-year-old in an interview with “Bild am Sonntag”. “If playoffs help us, then let’s talk about playoffs.”
At the beginning of her tenure, Hopfen brought several controversial issues into the debate, and she does not want to rule out the Supercup being held in Saudi Arabia. “Any measure that is supposed to bring us money in the future must suit us. But I don’t think we can rule out anything in this regard at the moment,” she said.
The coronavirus crisis has hit the clubs financially, and new sources of income are important. According to Hopfen, German professional football has lost 1.3 billion euros in three CoV seasons.
“Competitively a bit problematic”
After a “kicker” poll within the league, play-offs are rejected by a majority. Rudi Völler was also critical of this. “As in all other leagues in Europe, the focus in the Bundesliga must be on performance. When it comes to this important question, you should definitely not look through the club’s glasses. After a year, the accounts are settled and the placement clearly shows how well or poorly you have done your job. Only that is honest and fair,” said the Leverkusen sporting director.
Former Liefering coach Bo Svensson from FSV Mainz 05 pointed out: “In terms of competition, I find that a bit problematic.” Christian Streich from SC Freiburg also expressed his disapproval: “I think that the one who has the most points after 34 games should also become champion.” He finds “the championship in the way it is now the fairest and with the greatest significance. But not always the most exciting.”
For former league boss threatens “second class”
Stuttgart’s coach Pellegrino Matarazzo sees advantages and disadvantages: “With the introduction of the play-offs, we as VfB would have a better chance of becoming champions.” Oliver Kahn, CEO of series champions Bayern Munich, said he found it “exciting, about thinking about new models.
Wolfgang Holzhäuser, former DFL boss and managing director of Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, has long been a play-off advocate: he told the portals Spox and Goal: “For me it’s a very good sign when the CEO of the undisputed market leader Play- offs viewed positively, because that gives the discussion a lot of tailwind.” Without changes, German football is on the way to international “second division”.
Fans: Play-off idea misses the problem
Hopfen’s predecessor Christian Seifert, on the other hand, warned as early as 2020: “Play-offs would be a culture break in the Bundesliga. That would have to be supported by the masses, by clubs and fans.” The fan alliance “Unsere Curve” vehemently opposes the idea.
“It is significant that a new game format is being discussed instead of addressing the actual problems that lead to a lack of competition at the top,” said a statement in the dpa. Rather, what is needed is a more even distribution of TV money and the introduction of national financial fair play, “the urgently needed cap” on salaries in football.
