Pep Guardiola launched a tirade on the Premier League's scheduling - but refused to criticise the Christmas period and aimed thinly-veiled digs at some fellow managers.
The Manchester City boss revealed that he had no problem protecting the sanctity of the festive fixtures and that the problem regarding player welfare extends far further.
Guardiola has consistently banged the drum for introducing five substitutions, which were knocked back by a vote, and appeared restless at his peers.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola launched a tirade on the Premier League's scheduling
The 50-year-old has opted against attending Thursday's managers' meeting, while suggesting that the only way in which clubs can force change over scheduling is by organising a strike before claiming that is not realistically feasible.