Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal have revealed that they hold contrasting opinions on the Premier League's festive fixture list.
Arsene Wenger
While all European leagues give teams a break over the winter period, the Premier League schedules fixtures throughout the festive season, a practice which Wenger values.
""I would cry if you changed that. It is part of English tradition and English football," said Wenger.
The Gunners will play seven matches between 13 December and 16 January, including three games in the space of a week during December. Manchester United has a similarly busy schedule, with seven fixtures between 12 December and 13 January.
Van Gaal, 64, said the festive fixtures left players "exhausted", and blames England's poor international performance on the lack of a winter break.
"There is no winter break and I think that is the most evil thing of this culture. It is not good for English football,' said the Dutchman.
"It is not good for the clubs or the national team. England haven't won anything for how many years? Because all the players are exhausted at the end of the season."
Wenger, 66, defended the cultural significance of the festive season fixtures, and said he wants to "keep this tradition alive."
"I have a lot of respect for Louis van Gaal, but I don't agree with him on that," said Wenger.
"The whole of Europe come to watch football on Boxing Day. It is an important part for us to being popular in the world. At Christmas, nobody works in the world and everybody watches the Premier League."
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