Phil Hay shares what he’s heard ‘Off-the-record’ about Leeds and latest major PL development
Leeds United will never support anything that would see them lose power in the Premier League after a controversial shake-up of English football was mooted this week.
Manchester United and Liverpool, backed by EFL chairman Rick Parry, put forward the ‘Project Big Picture’ proposal which would see England’s so-called big-six earn more voting power and see the top-flight reduced to 18 teams.
The plan was met with a lot of anger due to the whole arrogance of the proposal, which was thrown out by Premier League clubs after a vote on Wednesday [The Times].
Speaking on his latest episode of The Phil Hay Podcast, Hay reported that Leeds would never stand for anything like Project Big Picture – especially as it’s something that would hurt the Whites more than anything.
“I don’t see what the upside is for [Leeds] at all,” Hay said.
“They stand to be one of the sides who would be compromised by the fact they would lose power and the Premier League is supposed to gain it, not to mention the fact they’re talking about the division dropping from 20 teams to 18. There will be consequences for that, potentially negative implications of it.
“I would be absolutely staggered if Leeds were to support it. They haven’t said anything publically but from speaking to people around the club and from chatting off-the-record, I know for a fact they won’t.”
Premier League managers spoke out about the proposal on Thursday with Burnley’s Sean Dyche claiming it’s only fair if power is equal while Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta said that big clubs have an obligation to support those in the lower tiers [Sky Sports].
Parry’s position has to be untenable now.
How can the chief of the EFL stand by a plan which seems to only benefit the top clubs in the Premier League? How would it really help the EFL – especially those in the lower reaches like League Two?
It’s baffling that something like this was even mooted and that Man United and Liverpool must have thought their plan would get the backing it needed.
Leeds are like 14 other teams in the Premier League and hopefully, some of the big-six wouldn’t even give it the time of day.
In other Leeds United news, this 24-year-old could exit the Whites before 5pm on Friday.