Football managers have been blindsided by news that their teams will join a European Super League
- Premier League managers were kept in the dark over plans for their teams to join a European Super League.
- Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said: "I was clearly, obviously not involved."
- Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he was not aware of the plans at all.
English Premier League managers say they were kept in the dark over plans for their teams to join a European Super League.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Tottenham all announced on Sunday that they had agreed to join the new breakaway league, which is being financed by bank JP Morgan and will rival the Champions League as Europe's elite soccer competition.
The 12 team league will be made up by La Liga trio Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid, and Italian trio Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan.
Speaking in a press conference on Monday, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel revealed he was not involved his club's plans to join the ESL, nor was he aware of them until Sunday.
"I don't know the details and I was clearly, obviously not involved, my players were not involved in the decision-making," he said, adding: "I think like me the players trust the club.
"We are employees of the club, and I think it is best not to get involved in sports politics. This is above our heads."
Just prior to the official announcement on Sunday when speculation had first started to circle, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also revealed they were unaware of their clubs' potential involvement.
"I've seen this morning the news and speculation," said Solskjaer after United's 3-1 victory over Burnley. "I can't really say too much, my focus has been on this game. I got the news today as well."
He added: "I don't really know all the ins and outs - I need to find out and the club will issue a comment probably."
When asked if he knew of Arsenal's plans to join the ESL following his side's draw with Fulham, Arteta said: "No."
He went on to say: "Once I know every detail and I have all the information then I can evaluate and give you my opinion."