A top manager in Europe and former Manchester City boss has defended the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations amid growing criticism of the tournament's scheduling.
Several coaches across Europe have bemoaned the fact that they will be without their African and Asian international players due to the respective continents' hosting of their most prestigious competitions in January and February.
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Elite divisions such as the Premier League, LALIGA, Serie A, Ligue 1, and the Bundesliga are all at a crucial mid-season stage, and clubs such as Liverpool, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain have had to relinquish top players like Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, and Achraf Hakimi, to name a few.
The forthcoming edition in the Ivory Coast was initially set to take place between June and July 2023, but due to heavy rains expected to peak during those months, it was decided that the showpiece will be held six months later instead, when climate conditions are more conducive.
With factors such as injuries usually having an unwanted impact on clubs, many coaches who are pushing for titles or simply to trying to salvage a season feel further derailed by the timing of the next AFCON.
One high-profile manager who has no qualms with the tournament, however, is Real Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini.
Speaking ahead of his side's LALIGA clash against Celta Vigo on Wednesday night, the 70-year-old tactician expressed the importance of national team competitions regardless of when they are staged.
"If the AFCON is played at an inappropriate time? I don't have all the information on this subject (whether it should happen in winter or not)," the former City mentor said.
"I think I've always said it, I'm completely a supporter of the national teams.
"Nations like to see their squads play. The national teams or local football of each country must have its space (competition time).
"In Africa, we have the AFCON in January. Every club that recruits African footballers therefore knows that it cannot count on them during this AFCON period."
Arsenal's Japanese star Takehiro Tomiyasu, who will compete in the Asian Cup, seems to be of a different view, though, insisting recently that these mid-season breaks are not good for the players.
"I want the Asian Cup to be played in June, the same as the Euros," Tomiyasu told the Evening Standard on Tuesday.
"I don't know why we are playing in January – not only the Asian Cup but the African Cup of Nations as well.
"It's not good for the players. But it is what it is and I will really try to come back with the title."
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