Is scrapping FA Cup replays a 'kick in the teeth' for lower-league clubs or a vital step for player welfare? Managers from across English football have their say on the controversial move

English football is in uproar after the FA and Premier League struck a deal to scrap FA Cup replays due to the expansion of the European competitions from next season.

The FA did not discuss the controversial move with the FA Cup Committee and lower-league clubs are aghast as replays are a huge financial aid.

Here you'll find what managers across the football pyramid had to say.   

EFL MANAGERS 

Russell Martin, Southampton

It would have been sensible to ask every single club involved in the competition what they think. I’m pretty sure the 20 clubs in the Premier League were asked.

What makes English football special is the pyramid and how many people get the chance to play professionally and the structure behind the Premier League and the Championship.

You look at how many players have played for England that have come through lower league academies. It makes English football really special and unique. So to keep thinking you can forget about the guys right at the very bottom and just not worry about them is really naive and not fair.

You have to be really, really careful if you just want to focus on protecting yourself and your money at the top of that chain because things can change very, very quickly in football.

Daniel Farke, Leeds United

As a manager you’re concerned about too many games, but I’d rather play than train. It’s the same for the supporters. It’s not easy, but I have seen the benefits with clubs who had replays.

Mark Robins, Coventry City

It kicks everybody in the teeth who is below the Premier League, there’s no doubt about it.

There’s nothing we can do about that apart from voice concerns and maybe there’s a rethink. It is really difficult for lower league clubs to come to terms with.

It is difficult because you look and those clubs, the grassroots and the EFL and below are all part of the pyramid that needs to feed each other and eventually feeds the Premier League.

There are a lot of players that come out of academies from Premier League teams that get training and game-time, the understanding, the experience and go back and make it at bigger clubs. Sometimes they get into international teams.

We have all played our part in that development. That should never be underestimated or forgotten.

David Wagner, Norwich City

I’m German and in the German Cup we never had replays — I like it. It’s one game and it is live or die.

Apart from that, it’s always difficult as a manager if the schedule for the next few weeks is not clear because you don’t know if you or your opponent has a replay — this is very challenging as a manager. In general, I like one game and you go through or not. This excites me.

Ian Evatt, Bolton Wanderers

On one hand, I love this game and the history of this game. The FA Cup is a big part of that.

Growing up in Coventry and seeing them win the Cup in 1987, and also witnessing them being beaten by Sutton United the following year, leaves its mark.

But that’s the glory of the FA Cup and the romance part of it is something that should be left alone.

Having said that, and now sitting in the seat I am, it probably helps me in terms of game management.

We’re going to end up playing 60-plus game seasons and that’s too many.

PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGERS 

Erik ten Hag, Manchester United

It's very sad for the British football culture, but it is also inevitable. No one can do anything about it, it’s due to the overload in the schedule and that is dictated by FIFA and UEFA.

England is part of UEFA. We are a big competition, we have a big influence and a big impact with FIFA and UEFA.

But there are so many other countries and they are making the football schedule. You see there is so much overload on the players, we talk about the issue so often and it has to stop.

I feel really sad for the clubs in English football.

But for top players at least we can now make some space in the schedule.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City

You know better than me the reason why the FA Cup was created. It’s for the lower division sides to have the chance to play big clubs and get money. In that sense, it is a problem. It’s a big blow.

For the big clubs playing in European competitions, it’s much better. We have a tight schedule with lots of games and to find a balance is so difficult.

I understand why clubs in lower divisions complain and it has been a tradition for many years. But with the schedule that we have, playing in European competition and with many players going to the national teams, it is much better.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal

We can’t look at it in an isolated way, but with the calendar that we have in the next few seasons, we have to take games out for the players.

I understand every point of view. Ours and mine is to protect our players. When I looked at how many minutes and games they’ve played in the last two years with no breaks, how many they’re going to have to play in the next two years, that’s not healthy for sure. Somehow, somewhere we have to reduce the calendar.

Rob Edwards, Luton Town

I managed in League Two with Forest Green so I have complete empathy with teams in the EFL and I know the value that replays can bring.

We played Bolton in a replay earlier this season, I know they are a bigger club on the way back but I know it was valuable to them.

I understand clubs’ frustrations, but on the other side I can see with the fixture schedule that’s coming next season, especially our teams that are going to be in European competitions, it is nigh on impossible to get the replays in.

So I can understand both sides of it.

David Moyes, West Ham

The football schedule is too full, there are too many games. Something has to give in football somewhere or you may find it’s going to be very difficult.

I’m not saying this was the thing that had to give, but somewhere along the line, something will have to loosen up a little bit to give the players more room.

Gary O'Neil, Wolves

There is an awful lot being asked of top players at the moment. If I put my selfish Wolverhampton head on, if we’re going in with a squad of 19 like this season, then the fewer games the better.

FA Cup ties should be played on Saturdays so you get a full week’s preparation and the games can be taken seriously. It’s a shame we’ve had to go that way.

It could work both ways for lower league teams where if you are at home to a big team, you’d rather play extra-time and penalties because you’d have more chance of winning than if you, say, draw 1-1 with Man City and have to go to the Etihad for a replay.

From a financial point of view I understand clubs lower down the ladder benefit greatly from gate receipts from the extra games.