Thomas Neubert, the 57-year-old Romanian football coach, has been a vocal advocate for change in the country’s top-tier league, Liga 1. In a recent podcast, Neubert proposed a radical overhaul of the league’s structure, one that would prioritize the well-being of players and the financial stability of clubs.
The current Liga 1 system, which features 16 teams playing a 30-round, home-and-away format, has been criticized for placing too much emphasis on quantity over quality. Neubert pointed out that top European leagues, such as the Bundesliga and Premier League, take a much more relaxed approach to scheduling, allowing for a significant break between the end of the domestic season and the start of the new campaign. In contrast, Romanian clubs often play upwards of 60 matches in a calendar year, with barely a week’s rest in between.
“This is a recipe for disaster,” Neubert warned. “The body needs time to recover from the physical demands of the game, and when we push players to play 63 matches in a single year, as FCSB did in 2025, we’re putting them at risk of injury and burnout.” The FCSB‘s grueling schedule was a record for any Romanian club, and Neubert’s comments highlight the urgent need for a more sustainable approach to league scheduling.
Reviving the Classic System: A Path Forward?
Neubert’s proposal for a return to a traditional, home-and-away format, with a larger number of teams, is not without its merits. By increasing the number of participating clubs, the league could potentially attract more fans, sponsors, and revenue streams. However, this would require a significant overhaul of the licensing process, as well as a more robust financial framework to support the increased number of teams.
The current play-off and play-out system, which determines the league’s Champions League and Europa Conference League representatives, would need to be revamped to accommodate a larger number of teams. Neubert suggests that a more traditional, promotion-and-relegation-based system would be more effective in promoting competition and fairness.
Stabilizing the Financial Foundation
Neubert’s comments also highlighted the need for a more robust financial framework in Romanian football. By requiring clubs to deposit a guaranteed budget before the start of each season, the league could mitigate the risk of financial collapse and ensure that teams are able to compete on a level playing field.
“This is not just a matter of fairness, but also a matter of safety,” Neubert emphasized. “When clubs are struggling financially, it’s not just their players who suffer – the entire league and the fans are affected.”
As the Romanian football landscape continues to evolve, Thomas Neubert’s proposals offer a compelling vision for a more sustainable, fair, and exciting league structure. By prioritizing the well-being of players, the financial stability of clubs, and the promotion of competition and fairness, Romanian football can take a significant step forward in the world of international football.
The implications of Neubert’s proposals will be closely watched by fans, clubs, and authorities alike, as the Romanian football community grapples with the challenges of a rapidly changing landscape.