Soccer - Leverkusen's Carro on the Africa Cup: "Must be changed"
Bayer Leverkusen's managing director Fernando Carro is calling for a different date for the Africa Cup in future. "Basically, it has to be changed," the Catalan told Bild am Sonntag: "I hope that we can come to an agreement with FIFA through the club association ECA."
The background to his demand is the upcoming continental tournament in Africa in January and February. German title contenders Bayer are threatened with the suspension of five players. The European Football Championship, on the other hand, will take place during the summer break of the top European leagues. "The standardization of an international match calendar is a high priority for me for the future," Carro continued. The 59-year-old sits on the board of the European Club Association (ECA).
With regard to the possible departure of his successful coach Xabi Alonso in the summer, Carro remains relaxed. "Xabi only extended his contract in the summer," Carro noted. However, there has been speculation for months that Alonso has an exit clause, particularly for a commitment to Real Madrid.
"We assume that he will also be our coach next year. In any case, there is no reason to think otherwise," said Carro, who believes that the wholly-owned subsidiary of the struggling Bayer Group is in an excellent position to compete with industry leader Bayern Munich in the long term, regardless of the coach and players. "We have a certain continuity and longevity at management level. The quality of our management has improved overall in recent years," said the Chairman of the Bayer Management Board.
Carro interview
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- Despite the ongoing discussions about the Africa Cup's timing, Bayer 04 Leverkusen is currently focusing on their successful run in the Bundesliga.
- The North Rhine-Westphalia-based club has been eagerly following the progress of their Spanish counterpart FC Barcelona and their Catalan coach, Xabi Alonso.
- FIFA has been under pressure to consider the impacts of international tours on club football, particularly in Europe where league schedules are rigidly structured.
- In light of the upcoming Africa Cup, some clubs in Germany, including Bayer Leverkusen, could potentially lose key players for several matches.
- This issue was highlighted by the European Club Association (ECA), which serves as a platform for all major European soccer clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich.
- Meanwhile, Leverkusen's rampant success on the European soccer scene has echoed across Africa, inspiring young talents to dream of emulating their idols.
- Over the years, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid have cultivated a strong relationship, with former star Xabi Alonso being a notable bridge between the two prestigious clubs.
- In the near future, Bayer Leverkusen fans can look forward to witnessing their favorite team in action against European opponents, including potential clashes with Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid.
Source: www.stern.de
