Real Madrid take aim at Uefa in bid to revive Super League

Real Madrid have spelled out their commitment to a restructuring of the Champions League in which the clubs not Uefa are in control - essentially a European Super League 2.0.

- David Hytner

The Madrid chief executive, José Ángel Sánchez, who rarely speaks in public, has taken part in a Harvard Business School (HBS) case study - seen by the Guardian - in which he explains why he feels change is essential. In it, he likens Uefa to the musicians on the Titanic, playing on despite impending doom.

The study was prepared by the HBS professor Anita Elberse, the class of 2024 graduate Juan Pasquín and the research associate Iñigo Pasquín. It delves deeply into Madrid's business plan, looking at why the club have moved away from the transfer policy of the galácticos era, prioritising the signing of younger players who can be developed into superstars.

There is a spotlight on the €1bn Bernabéu stadium renovation project, which began in 2019, and how it stands to drive increased revenues.

What stands out is Madrid's desire for the new-look European league which, according to Anas Laghrari, an adviser to the club's president, Florentino Pérez, would feature "the highest-quality football all year round".

Madrid have doubled down on their position in the HBS study, also offering an insight into their mindset. At one point, Sánchez compares the 15-times European champions to Asterix's fictitious village, holding out against the Roman invaders.