Chapter 2601 Controlling the Field

Even though Manchester United and Manchester City are mortal enemies in the same city, they are incompatible rivals.

But the owners of the two teams have already reached a consensus in private.

The owners of Manchester City are from the United Arab Emirates. They are the main investors of Neptune Private Equity Fund. The two parties have had very pleasant cooperation in other industries.

Only when the industry gets better and better will the company get better and better.

Only if the Premier League is better, every club in the Premier League can be better; only if the football atmosphere in Manchester is better, can Manchester become the city that leads the Premier League!

Geographically, Manchester has a huge disadvantage over London.

London will be more attractive to players.

Unless Manchester's football market is better and its football atmosphere is stronger, it has gradually transformed from an industrial city to a football city. You know, there are not only two teams in Manchester County, Manchester United and Manchester City.

The more well-known ones include Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers, and lower-level teams Stockport and Oldham.

Worth mentioning is Wigan Athletic.

This season, this is a team in the Premier League. However, this season's performance was so poor that the team was relegated to the English Championship.

Zhou Buqi has already thought about it.

We need to communicate with Manchester City later to loan some fringe players or young players in the team to Wigan Athletic next season to help them return to the Premier League!

This is support for the Greater Manchester Authority's urban transformation strategy and can also reflect Manchester United's significant influence on local football.

Manchester United has a series of big plans.

The Manchester United Hotel, which is under construction, is expected to officially open in May next year.

At the same time, Manchester United also intends to cooperate with the famous British amusement park group Merlin Entertainments and the Manchester Government and Tourism Bureau to develop a Manchester United-themed amusement park.

It will further strengthen the football atmosphere here and increase the attractiveness of the tourism market.

In this regard, Zhou Buqi has exactly the same idea as Mansour, the owner of Manchester City. They are both outsiders, they are in charge of a large amount of assets, and they are doing big business.

Definitely from a bigger perspective.

In comparison, these football bigwigs at the cocktail party were really a bit petty. Some people actually wanted to sanction Manchester City, which has created huge value for the Premier League, for the sake of so-called fairness and justice!

"Fairness and justice" are certainly the correct values.

Everyone must stick to it.

But what about the commercial interests of the Premier League?

The extremely wealthy Manchester City and the rapidly emerging new generation of Premier League giants will bring countless dividends to the Premier League. The clubs rebelled back then and were unwilling to follow the FA's arrangements. They established their own Premier League company and restructured the league from English League One to the Premier League, just to make more money.

The Premier League is a business league!

Moreover, Britain is closer to the United States.

Although La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga have all separated from the commercial development of national football associations, continental Europe has always had a very contemptuous attitude towards the United States.

Only Britain is quietly following the United States.

Look at what the American sports leagues are doing?

The NBA generates more profits every year than the five major European leagues combined. The fact that American sports can make a difference in a niche sport like basketball is actually a business operation.

Discriminatory penalties are an important means.

Zhou Buqi unabashedly used the NBA and the powerful players in British football as examples at the scene. The referee's biggest role is not to make penalties, but to control the field and the trend of the game, thereby making the entire series more attractive.

For example, if the NBA playoffs were swept 4:0, it would be too boring. There would be no hype points, weak marketing, and the commercial value would be greatly reduced.

If the referee controls the field and makes certain intervention and adjustments to the trend of the game, the one-sided series that should have been swept 4:0 will become a decisive battle at Tianwangshan with a difficult victory of 4:3.

The intensity of this competition was shown.

It looks better and more attractive.

The broadcaster's ratings will also be greatly increased.

Doesn’t this bring money?

"Although Manchester United has encountered some controversy over penalties this season, I personally have no objections. I even think it is a good thing." Zhou Buqi does not mind showing some personal style to these football big shots, "Chelsea and The Manchester City game didn't come to a conclusion until the last round, or even the last minute, and it ended the championship competition for the whole season. This is the best game! In the past few seasons, Manchester United has always won a few rounds in advance. Winning the championship is harmful to the industry. What the fans want to see is fierce competition. Our referee company really needs to break away from the thinking of fair and just penalties. The referee's first job should be to control the field. ."

In fact, starting from this season, the Premier League has already undergone such changes.

It's just that the control is not very good.

Manchester United suffered too much.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Manchester United has been targeted by the Premier League despite winning the championship for four consecutive years.

This is not good.

We must maintain the dignity of the Premier League.

Zhou Buqi went on to say: "In the process of controlling the field, misjudgments are inevitable, just like what Manchester United has encountered many times this season. However, if it is Manchester United every time, it will cause a storm of public opinion and everyone's anger will be Pointing to the Premier League, that’s not good.”

This is a very sensitive topic.

Point out the hypocrisy of many people.

What about fairness and justice?

Why do you feel like you are plotting to use unconventional means to influence the future direction of the Premier League...

However, some people stood up and asked, "What should I do?"

Zhou Buqi said: "There must be enough games to control the field. Every game of a strong team should be controlled. The Bundesliga is dominated by Bayern, La Liga is Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​there is only one PSG in Ligue 1, and Serie A is also That’s Juventus. There are too few strong teams. If the Premier League wants to become the most competitive and attractive league in the world, it must have as many strong teams as possible!”

"Strong team..."

"Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham, and Everton also have good potential. If there is no strong team, then create a strong team by controlling the field."

"Creating a strong team..."

After hearing this, many people looked at each other.

Many people in football actually have this idea and move closer to American sports. But we can’t take too big a step, we have to take our time, and we can’t act blatantly like American sports and treat fans like fools.

Football is different from American sports.

American sports are entertainment.

If you cheat, you will cheat. If you control the scene, you will control the scene. Everyone is watching for fun, just like watching a movie. It is a form of leisure and entertainment, and no one cares.

European football is different. It is culture, life, and the spiritual belief of many people.

Zhou Buqi said with a smile: "I just want to make a suggestion. The specific development of the league must be planned by the Premier League board of directors. I just made my ideas clear. If the Premier League can have seven or eight strong teams competing in the European competition There will be fierce competition for places, and there will be three or four strong teams competing for the final league championship every year. The Premier League can become the best football league in Europe. Properly control the game and use referees to narrow the gap between the strong teams. The gap can make the external performance of the competition more intense and attractive. In the past few years, Manchester United has always been able to win a few rounds in advance, and we should try our best to avoid such a situation."

Someone asked: "What should I do about the image of the Premier League?"

Zhou Buqi said: "The Premier League is right, but the referee is wrong. Everyone makes mistakes, and misjudgments are a key element in football. Of course, at the appropriate time, the Premier League needs to provide certain protection to referees who make mistakes and strictly restrict clubs. Criticism of referees. Referees can make mistakes, but no one from the club, coaches, or players can criticize. Whoever makes a comment will be severely punished. Klopp, for example, has publicly made several remarks about referees this season, and there is every reason to criticize them. place."

The cocktail party was already lively.

It's a little deserted now.

Everyone gathered around Boss Zhou, feeling the sincerity conveyed in his words.

Manchester United is his club, but he admitted that Manchester United suffered a serious misjudgment, and also believed that Manchester United coach Klopp should be punished for making inappropriate remarks, so as to protect the referee.

What kind of feeling is this?

The big boss is indeed the big boss!

No wonder he became the richest man in the world!

This way of thinking and this pattern are really beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Zhang Zetian stood pretty next to Zhou Buqi, holding a glass of cocktail in his hand, with red lips and white teeth, and a smile. He raised his head and looked at him with bright eyes and admiration in his eyes.

This is what a man is!

I, Zhang Zetian, am the man I look up to and chase!