Pep Guardiola admitted that the scrapping of FA Cup replay is a ‘blow’ for lower league teams, as Premier League managers reacted to the announcement. 

English football has been left in uproar after the FA and Premier League struck a deal to scrap replays.  

The change will take effect from next season and comes in light of calendar changes forced by UEFA expanding European competitions. 

Clubs down the football pyramid have expressed their frustration at the news, and Premier League bosses have been asked to give their verdicts ahead of their respective games this weekend. 

Ahead of Man City‘s FA Cup semi-final tie with Chelsea on Sunday, Guardiola said: ‘I think you know better than me why replays was created in this country, for lower divisions to have the opportunity to have the big clubs, good money for them. For that sense it’s a problem, a big blow.

Guardiola (pictured kissing the FA Cup) and other Premier League managers have been giving their verdict on the big change for next season ahead of this weekend’s fixtures

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag said it was ‘sad for British football culture’ but said the news was also ‘inevitable’ given the schedule of sides playing in European competitions

‘For the big clubs playing in European competitions it’s much better. We have less games, in our tight schedule there is a lot of games. To find the balance today in world football is the most difficult thing.

‘I understand clubs in lower divisions can complain about that. If we have a game in the Etihad Stadium and we have to go to the Conference or League One, that game is so important for them.’

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag described the news as ‘sad’ for British football, but also claimed the changes were ‘inevitable’ due to the schedule of clubs competing in European competitions.

He said: It‘s very sad for the British football culture. But also it’s inevitable. No one can do anything for it. It’s due to the overload in the schedule.

‘That’s dictated by FIFA and UEFA and England is part of UEFA. We are a big competition, we have a big influence and impact on FIFA and UEFA but there are so many other countries and they are making the football schedule.

‘There is so much overload on the players. It has to stop. I feel really sad for the clubs in England football but for top players this is a measure which can make some space in the schedule.’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said that while he can understand opinions of clubs lower down the football pyramid, the calendar had to be reduced.  

He said: ‘I understand every point of view and mine is to protect our players and when I looked at the amount of games and minutes they played in the last two seasons and how they will have to play in the next two years that’s not healthy.

Mikel Arteta said the football calendar ‘had to be reduced’ in his press conference on Friday

Rob Edwards has previously managed in the fourth tier of English football and said he ‘knows the value that replays can  bring’

The change was announced by the Premier League and FA ahead of this weekend’s semi-finals

‘So somewhere, and I’m not saying it has to be that (FA Cup replays) but somewhere, somehow, we have to reduce the calendar.’

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards has previously managed in the fourth tier of English football.  

 He said: ‘I’ve managed in League Two, so I have complete empathy with teams in the EFL and I know the value replays can bring.

‘We played Bolton, we had a replay earlier this season, I know they’re a big club on their way back but it was valuable to them.

‘I can understand clubs’ frustrations. But on the side I can see with the fixture schedule that’s coming up next season with our European teams it’s near impossible to fit the replays in so can see both sides of it.’

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil pointed out an example of where scrapping replays could be beneficial to teams in lower tiers. 

He said: ‘You can see there’s an awful lot being asked of top players at the moment. I think the amount of games they play. The guys that are playing in the Champions League and then going to go off to the Euros or Copa America, they’re playing an awful lot of football matches.

‘So I understand about that. But if I put my selfish Wolverhampton head on, if we’re going to run with a squad of 19 which is what we have this season then the less games the better.

The major change to the FA Cup will take effect from the start of the 2024-25 season

‘I spoke about the FA Cup before I think we played Brighton, where I was strong they need to play on Saturdays so you get a full-week’s preparation and the game can be taken seriously and not put between two league games.

‘I think it’s a shame we have had to go that way. I think it could work both ways for the lower league teams as well where if you’re drawing at home to a big club you’d rather play extra-time and penalties as you have more chance of winning that at home than you would if you’re drawing 1-1 with Man City.

‘You’d rather carry on for 30 minutes at home with your backing and penalties than have to go to the Etihad in a replay.

‘But from a financial point of view I understand clubs would benefit greatly from gate receipts from the extra games. There is a balance and we can see how it goes and judge once it’s in.’

Everton boss Sean Dyche pointed out that some players are playing ’55 or 65 games a season’. 

He said: ‘For the beauty of the cup, it changes obviously. The glamour, the prestige changes. But I don’t know, they’re cramming so much into football now and certainly in the Premier League season and as I said particularly the teams that are doing well in all sorts of competitions.

‘I don’t think it’s an easy situation, because there are a lot of games and as I said the higher up you go, the more trophies you’re in, it does get a lot of games. Players are playing 55 or 65 games a season and I think it does get challenging for them.

‘It’s not an easy situation to make them decisions, who’s saying what and who wants what, the latest debate about player wellbeing and heading the ball and extra-time, where does it all live, which one’s which? Generally speaking, I think most managers would suggest players play a lot of games. Particularly ones that are involved in international tournaments as well. ‘