Koeman calls for changes to FA Cup format

With the greatest blight to have fallen upon English football having openly said yesterday the EFL Cup needs to be done away with, Ronald Koeman was asked about Jose Mourinho’s comments today and he had the following to say:

“I think having both Cup competitions is traditional. I think you can take out replays from the FA Cup. That is a better decision in my opinion.

“Play the game, then finish the game, even by penalties if necessary. A replay is ridiculous.

“Two Cup competitions is traditional. Everybody is fighting, everybody likes to win. It is nice to win, even if it’s the League Cup, or the Carabao Cup as it’s called this season.”

I really appreciate that the Everton manager did not simply reject the proposal. Anyone can reject an idea out of hand but the fact of the matter is that two Cup competitions does present the potential for an extra game burden on English clubs so providing an alternative solution is extremely beneficial.

What the Toffees manager proposed was essentially simply bringing the English game up to date with the rest of Europe. He is absolutely right, playing replays in the FA Cup is absurd.

However, it is not as simple as just avoiding replays, because a 120 minute match in the middle of a week can be just as bad for tired legs. Realising this, Koeman has proposed we simply go to penalties at the end of regular time.

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Personally, I am all for it. I appreciate the well-reasoned response from Koeman in replay to the melodramatic nonsense from Mourinho, and it absolutely is nice to win, so here’s hoping Koeman can lead our boys to victory in this EFL Cup.

Drawing Chelsea next round isn’t ideal, but if you want silverware you have to beat the big clubs at some point. Might as well deal with it now when it’s in the midst of Chelsea also juggling Champions League.