Is the English Premier League in Freefall?

Pep about to go?

Klopp in full voice

The news that Pep Guardiola is to retire as Manchester City Manager, and the Premier League likely to be won by an Arsenal team that never fails to depress you with time wasting, professional fouls and a multitude of 1-0 victories, suggests that the halcyon days of the Premier League are in freefall. Liverpool have abandoned Klopp's heavy-metal football, with Arne Slot and his team of coaches now having them play ambient house football. Manchester United and Chelsea continue to spend millions and sack managers in quick time. The most enjoyable team to watch this season has been Bournemouth, and their manager, Andoni Iraola, is also leaving. 

What a contrast to watching teams like Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who play offensively with speed, passion and without the negative defensive traits of the Premier League. It is reminiscent of the 1990s, when Serie A was the go-to league for exciting football. Think Zola, Maradona, Van Basten, Batistuta, Zidane, Baresi, Weah and Maldini. 

It is time to forget Sky, Football Focus, and Amazon with their ever-increasing platitudes served by their dirge of commentators. They have relegated coverage of the Championship, a real fan's league, which is withering as the Premier League accumulates almost all the TV and sponsorship money, creating a huge inequality in salaries for managers, players and agents who exist in the bubble of avarice that dominates the beautiful game. Paris Saint-Germain are showing us that football is best served in a spirit of Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité. Let's hope that they put Arsenal to the sword.

Gianfranco Zola, Napoli Days