Liverpool throw-in coach slams radical Wenger plan that would put him out of job

Liverpool throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark has branded the idea to eliminate throw-ins and replace them kick-ins as a "huge step back" for football.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been a huge advocate in recent years to change the rule, citing their existence as a feasible way for teams to regularly waste time. Earlier in the week, IFAB met with its governing bodies to discuss the possibilities of replacing throw-ins with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

After confirming that permitting five substitutes will be made permanent in top-level games, a move that was first used during the pandemic, they issued a statement around future trials that may also include having referees describe some decisions in a manner similar to rugby union.

"Other trials such as explaining certain refereeing decisions during a game, a potentially fairer calculation of playing time, and kick-ins were also discussed," IFAB said. "The AGM was clear that these and any other trials require permission and will be supervised by The IFAB and FIFA."

However, Gronnemark, who has worked at Liverpool since 2018, was quick to shut down claims that the game would benefit from the change, which would inevitably eliminate the need for his services as a throw-in expert.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "It would be the biggest mistake. They would be taking a beautiful thing away. But I am 100 per cent sure they will keep them because they will soon see if they trial it that maybe the ball won't be lost as much with no pressure on the kicker and it will ruin the joy of the game for everyone.

"I have seen that the development in throw-ins has been better since I got my break at Liverpool. "If you are not working on throw-ins, spending time on it in training and have a general lack of knowledge, then, of course, it is challenging. No matter what we are talking about in life, if you don't work on it then it will be a big challenge.

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"I have seen people say that it is 10 against 11 inside the pitch when you take the thrower away so you are almost certain to lose the ball. No, you are not almost certain to lose the ball! It can actually be an advantage but coaches don't put the time into it."

He added: "I don't think time-wasting is a problem with throw-ins. Why? Because if a team is time-wasting it should be obvious to the referee. If you are using that time to create space, it should also be obvious that the time is being used to keep the ball by moving.

"They won't say it's time-wasting with corners because people understand with this that the players need time to get into the right positions to receive the ball and the kicker needs to be able to set the ball right. This time-wasting argument with throw-ins is not valid.

"And besides, the easiest way to get around time-wasting is to have 60 minutes of effective playing time. This happens in many other sports. We could do that in football. Kick-ins are not an argument against throw-ins regarding time-wasting in any way."