Next Gen competition suspended

[Louis]

The competition that Roberto Martinez spoke of has been suspended for a year due to a lack of funding.

 

We are going to work really, really hard as football club to get in the NextGen because thats another experience for the young players, Martinez told the ECHO.

 

I still think on top of that you need to get that competitive edge and competitive football.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-fc-manager-roberto-martinez-5373134

 

 

Youth football tournament the NextGen series will not take place in the forthcoming season due to a lack of definite funding, organisers have announced.

 

Twenty-four elite academies from 12 countries - including Barcelona, Juventus, Celtic, Paris St Germain and Borussia Dortmund - participated in the tournament last season, with Aston Villa edging an all-English final with Chelsea to take victory.

 

"It is with regret that the NextGen Series has today announced it will be suspending the tournament for one season due to a lack of definite funding," read a statement.

 

Co-founders of the NextGen series Mark Warburton and Justin Andrews said: "The level of support we have received from the football industry, media and fans has been magnificent and for that we are truly grateful.

 

"It is hugely disappointing that an event of this nature, designed to assist with the development of Europe's elite players, should have to take such action but we hope to be back next season with an even better tournament."

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/nextgen-series-cancelled-amid-funding-shortage-8770347.html

[Louis]

Though Friday's announcement of NextGen's suspension for a year because of "a lack of definite funding" was largely lost in the small print of a new Premier League season, its significance lies in the political and commercial machinations which led to its demise. Aston Villa academy director, Bryan Jones, spoke for many when he condemned the situation as "shameful and hugely disappointing".

 

The usual suspects stand accused of blatant self-interest. Uefa, driven by the expansionist principles of their president, Michel Platini, sought to kill the NextGen project by unveiling the Youth Cup, a rival competition run on similar lines. The Premier League rejected the opportunity to support a counter proposal guaranteeing entry to 16 English clubs in an expanded 32-team event.

 

Their response, to offer clubs a series of weekly tournaments, featuring three games at a cost of £50,000 to each entrant, merely increased the sense of alienation with the £340 million Elite Player Performance Plan, which purports to be a blueprint for a better England team, supplied by a streamlined, strategically driven coaching system.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/the-last-word-talk-of-revolt-at-folly-of-youth-system-8772835.html

[Bailey]

That's a real shame, I was looking forward to seeing how our lads would do in the comp.