Rangers Boss McInnes Says International Break Is 'Too Long'
Listen to the story
Rangers manager Derek McInnes has spoken out about the international break, a period when domestic football stops so players can represent their countries.
McInnes said that he is "not a fan" of the extended break, meaning he does not support it. He also described it as "too long."
The international break happens several times during a football season. During this time, club players leave their teams to play matches for their national sides.
Many managers have mixed feelings about these breaks. Some worry about player fatigue or injuries picked up while away. Others say the break gives regular players a rest.
McInnes did not go into great detail in his comments, but his message was clear: he believes the current break format causes problems for clubs.
Clubs like Rangers must often wait longer to return to competitive matches when the break happens. This can affect momentum and team preparation.
The comments come as part of an ongoing discussion in football about whether the international calendar needs to change. Many coaches across different leagues have raised similar concerns in recent seasons.
It is not clear if governing bodies will respond to these complaints. For now, McInnes's comments add his voice to a wider debate shared by many in the game.
Vocabulary10 words
- international break
- a pause in club football for national team games
- described
- said what something is like
- fatigue
- feeling very tired
- injuries
- hurt body parts from playing sport
- momentum
- forward movement or progress that keeps going
- preparation
- getting ready before something happens
- governing bodies
- organizations that make rules for a sport
- domestic
- happening inside one country
- calendar
- the planned schedule of events over a year
- coaches
- people who train and lead sports teams
📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?
Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.
Quiz
Answer key
1. He called it "too long" 2. Because of possible player fatigue and injuries 3. False
✅ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Rangers manager Derek McInnes has spoken out about the _____ break.
McInnes said that he is "not a fan" of the extended break, meaning he does not _____ it.
He also described it as "too _____."
During this time, club players leave their teams to play matches for their _____ sides.
Some worry about player _____ or injuries picked up while away.
Others say the break gives regular players a _____.
Clubs like Rangers must often wait longer to return to _____ matches when the break happens.
This can affect momentum and team _____.
Many coaches across different leagues have raised similar _____ in recent seasons.
It is not clear if _____ bodies will respond to these complaints.
Discussion questions
- Do you think international breaks are good or bad for club football? Why?
- Have you ever watched a national team match during an international break?
- What problems could extended breaks cause for football clubs?
- Should football authorities shorten the international calendar? Why or why not?
🎓 Enjoyed this story?
Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.
More Sports stories
Next story · Medium
Jon Rahm Set to Leave LIV Golf