The European Super League could kick off by the 2024/2025 season, but with a new format.
The proposed competition, which was essentially a breakaway from the UEFA model, failed to take off in April 2021 when nine of the 12 founding clubs pulled out over protests from fans and opposition from governing bodies.
However, a new CEO, Bernd Reichart, has been appointed by A22, the company behind the failed project, and he has suggested that a new European Super League with no permanent membership could be launched by the 2024/2025 season.
Reichart’s first assignment is to hold talks with football stakeholders across Europe, and the German media executive also believes the Premier League’s club-run model is a good example for the European Super League – now expanded to 20 teams – to follow.
When he was asked by PA news agency if the 2024/25 season was the earliest the failed project could start up again, Reichart said: “That might be the first reasonable and realistic call but there are so many variables that I can’t actually foresee. That is probably the first realistic call.”
The European Super League was launched with 12 founding members – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid – who would permanently take part in the competition.
But the six Premier League clubs as well as Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan pulled out in the face of fierce criticism from supporters, pundits, clubs and the media, while Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid have remained adamant.
Permanent membership of the European Super League for the founding members was a significant point of criticism, but Reichart said: “There has been an important reassessment and the concept is spreading out about openness and taking the permanent membership off the table.
“I can say the three clubs have credibly reassessed and taken some learnings from the first approach.
“I am aware of what the English clubs stated a year and a half ago, but I hope the whole football community is appreciating the approach to continue to care and try to come up with solutions.
“Initially the dialogue can work without them (English clubs). I will talk to clubs in other countries but this is not an exclusive initiative at all, it is an inclusive initiative.
“Of course the situation of the English clubs and the Premier League is a strong example of how attractive a club-run competition could actually look like and what difference it makes if you have the best playing each other week after week in a way. I would love to have their point of view as well.”
