Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson believes a Premiership winter break would improve England's chances of international success. England looked woefully short of ideas and fitness when they needed it most in their World Cup quarter-final against Brazil, with some players having competed on four fronts at club level during the season.
Ferguson proposes a break in January for players to recuperate, and insists he for one would not use the time to play in money-spinning friendly matches. "England were not fresh at the World Cup. I didn't see any energy in any of England's games. The only team that really improved in the World Cup, and they were poor, were Germany and they have a one-month rest in January," said Ferguson.
Everyone knows full well it is a tortuous season anyway. Last season they held Premiership games after the FA Cup final, which seemed to me the most stupid thing in the world. The cup final should always be the last game of the season because then at least 18 teams, bearing in mind it is usually two Premiership teams in the final, will have a week's extra rest before the World Cup starts," added the United boss.
Filed by James Shortt
