Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has slammed the decision to start the Premier League early next season.
The Frenchman feels that a six-week gap between the end of FIFA's international summer schedule and the start of the English domestic season is not enough for his players to recuperate.
"Moving the fixture calendar forward deeply affects pre-season and I believe it is the wrong decision of the Premier League to start on August 8," said Wenger, whose side will take on Aston Villa in FA Cup final at Wembley on May 30.
"The players have played the (2014) World Cup, then you have no winter break, you come out (of the Premier League season) and when you reach the FA Cup final, you play on May 30, then the European players who are called up by their international teams play until June 14, then you start (the new season) on August 8.
"If you count six weeks' preparation, where is the time for recovery?
"As a manager, you usually have a bit of time to relax after the season when there is no international competition, but this year we finish at the end of May and start again at the end of June.
"It takes you two weeks to just get out of the heat of the Premier League and then you have to prepare again."