Gary Neville has suggested the prize for winning the FA Cup should change and it would see a significant change in attitude from clubs like Everton.
David Moyes witnessed his side dumped out of the FA Cup at the very first opportunity back in January.
It was the 62-year-old’s former side, Sunderland, who ended Everton’s hopes of silverware this season.
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Everton manager David Moyes.
Despite not competing in Europe, teams like Everton continue to rotate their sides for the cup competitions and Neville firmly believes this has to change.
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Gary Neville proposes FA Cup prize that would interest Everton
Wayne Rooney was not impressed with Everton’s approach to the FA Cup, which saw the Toffees dumped out of the competition in the third round.
No one needs reminding of Everton’s trophy drought, but Neville thinks an extra incentive of Champions League qualification would massively change the outlook on the FA Cup.
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“The only two things I think are going to make clubs force their managers to play full teams are is to give more money for winning the FA Cup,” said Neville on the Stick to Football podcast.
“The Premier League would have to fund the FA Cup. For example, the winners should receive £15-20 million.
“Why wouldn’t they get a significant amount of money for winning the FA Cup? They should, or perhaps the winners should automatically qualify for the Champions League instead of fifth place.”
Moyes is pushing for Everton to qualify for Europe, which is a distinct possibility this season.
However, by opening up a spot in the Champions League through winning the FA Cup, it would massively increase the relationship between clubs and the historic competition.
Everton have not lifted the FA Cup since 1995. By implementing Neville’s proposal, it would kill two birds with one stone for the Blues.
European football has become the be-all and end-all for Premier League clubs due to the finances involved, but fans also want to see their side lift silverware.
FA Cup offers little financial incentive for Everton
Aside from lifting the trophy, the FA Cup does not offer the owners of Premier League clubs any incentive to prioritise it over the league.
Crystal Palace were able to qualify for Europe through winning the competition last season, but the Eagles did not massively benefit financially.
According to BBC Sport, the winners of this season’s FA Cup will take home a £2.6m prize pot.
In comparison, for every Premier League place Everton finish higher in the table, there is the incentive of £2.7m.
Not only would the possibility of playing in the Champions League be a huge draw for clubs like Everton, but qualification would also provide a huge financial boost to the club.
For just participating in the league phase, UEFA write teams a cheque for a staggering £16.1m.
This type of money could transform how a club like Everton could operate.
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