Gus Poyet lobbies for winter break
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has championed the idea of introducing a winter break into English football.
The Black Cats, who sit rooted to the foot of the Premier League table, face a hectic upcoming period, with Poyet's men poised to play 12 games in a six-week period.
Consequently, the Uruguayan has lobbied for change to the festive schedule, claiming that domestic football should be halted after December 26 in a bid to provide the playing staff with some much-needed respite.
He told The Daily Mirror: "I cannot understand why we don't have a break. It's so simple and so natural everywhere else.
"I want to have a break so the players can relax and get away from football. For us, from now to the end of January is going to be a nightmare. We are not looking for a winter break to go to Dubai. I want to have a break so the players can relax and get away from football.
"On coaching courses you are supposed to play then analyse the game, but we have no time. We are not going to be able to do that because there is no time - it's bang, bang, bang."