Manchester United and Liverpool ‘driving forces behind Project Big Picture’ in huge shake-up

Liverpool and Manchester United are at the forefront of proposals for an unprecedented overhaul of English football dubbed ‘Project Big Picture’, according to reports.

The two sides are sworn rivals but The Daily Telegraph state they have decided to co-operate on plans that will drastically change the outlook of the game in England.

The report claims the plans call for the Premier League to be reduced to an 18-team league, down from the 20 that currently compete in the top-flight, while a £250million coronavirus rescue package would be made available to the EFL to help them through the ongoing pandemic.

The report also claims 25 per cent of the Premier League’s annual revenue will go to clubs lower down the English football pyramid, while there would also be an outlay of £100m to aid with the FA’s sustainability.

However, the plans are apparently seeking for both the League Cup and the curtain-raising Community Shield to be scrapped, while other discussions are reported to have taken place that have focused on the League Cup staying as it is but without European participation coming as a final reward.

The Telegraph claim these proposals have been recorded in a so-called working document called ‘Revitalisation’, written by Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group and supported by their counterparts at Old Trafford. 

The report adds the two clubs expect the remaining so-called ‘Big Six’ sides – Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham – all to endorse their plans.

The plans also allegedly call for controlling power in the league to be put in the hands of just nine top-flight clubs with the longest running stay, which would currently see Everton, Southampton and West Ham join the other six already mentioned.

Those nine sides would also reportedly be allowed to play more games in the proposed expanded Champions League that is scheduled for its inaugural campaign in the 2024-25 season.

The nine sides would be referred to as having ‘long-term shareholder status’ with unprecedented power, and votes of just six of them would allegedly be required to make changes. That would also include a veto to prevent a new owner taking over a club.

The one-club, one-vote principle in the Premier League and the threshold of 14 votes to pass decisions and regulation changes are also set to be abolished.

The agenda-setting report was met by a strong response by the Premier League who felt the plans would have a ‘damaging impact’ on the game. 

‘English football is the world’s most watched, and has a vibrant, dynamic and competitive league structure that drives interest around the globe,’ a statement read.

‘To maintain this position it is important we all work together. Both the Premier League and The FA support a wide-ranging discussion on the future of the game, including its competition structures, calendar and overall financing particularly in light of the effects of COVID-19. 

‘Football has many stakeholders, therefore this work should be carried out through the proper channels enabling all clubs and stakeholders the opportunity to contribute.

‘In the Premier League’s view, a number of the individual proposals in the plan published today could have a damaging impact on the whole game and we are disappointed to see that Rick Parry, Chair of the EFL, has given his on-the-record support.

‘The Premier League has been working in good faith with its clubs and the EFL to seek a resolution to the requirement for COVID-19 rescue funding. This work will continue.’ 

There is also set to be a rethink on promotion from the Championship, and while two automatic promotion places for second-tier clubs would remain, the third, fourth and fifth-placed clubs would compete in a play-off tournament against whichever side finishes 16th in the Premier League. 

This is slightly reminiscent to the model currently adopted in the Bundesliga, where the third-place team in the German second division faces the side that finished 16th in the top-flight. 

As well as the Premier League dropping from the current 20 side to 18, the plans call for only 24 clubs each in the Championship, League One and League Two for a total of 90 throughout English leagues, a reduction of two from the current 92 professional clubs.

The plan has reportedly received the backing of EFL chairman Rick Parry who has held talks with both Liverpool and United’s owners since discussions on the project began in 2017.

Talks have reportedly gained pace ever since football’s finances were plunged into drastic turmoil following the outbreak of the pandemic and reports that fans may not return to stadiums until March at the earliest to bring back matchday revenue to somewhere near normality.

United and Liverpool are reportedly prepared to engage in a debate on this, but are also said to be eager for their proposals to be put into action at the earliest available date.