Juventus president and head of the European Club Association (ECA) Andrea Agnelli seems to have changed tack on his thoughts on clubs competing in continental tournaments.

He now believes they should only enter on sporting merit.

Last March, Agnelli controversially stated that bigger clubs should be given increased chances of participating in Europe’s elite competitions over teams “without European history” that had enjoyed one good domestic season. He used Juve’s Serie A rivals and 2018-19 Champions League quarterfinalists, Atalanta, as an example.

However, while speaking Wednesday at conference event Think Sport 2021, Agnelli appeared to change his mind in the wake of last week’s leaked plans for a breakaway European Super League. A proposal document outlined a 20-team format outside of UEFA’s jurisdiction, with 15 permanent members and five annual qualifiers, The Times’ Martyn Ziegler reported.

“Increase the stability and participation, keep access from the domestic level, competitions at the European level should be open to all,” Agnelli said as he backed a Champions League revamp over a new Super League, according to Reuters.

“So we, as the managers of the industry, we must keep the dream alive, which is one of the mantras of our history,” he continued. “Everything should be based on sporting matters, of sporting merit, but that we should remember where the fans of the future are going, so there is a strong view that more European matches are welcome.

“It is not just about England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, but we must embrace also the lower competitions, guarantee an adequate European representation but at the same time offer stability of participation. Stay ahead of new competitors in the changing media environment and respect and nurture the interests of domestic championships.”

Multiple reports have linked Real Madrid president Florentino Perez with the latest Super League proposal, but the club has declined to comment on the matter. Outgoing Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu claimed in October that the Catalonian outfit had accepted a Super League invitation – a week after reports surfaced that Wall Street bank JP Morgan, Liverpool, Manchester United, and a host of other European heavyweights from UEFA’s top five domestic leagues had drawn up their own 18-team competition.

FIFA has already hit back at any notion to create a breakaway competition. The governing body last week threatened to ban any players who participate in a proposed European Super League from its tournaments, including the World Cup.

A new-look Champions League is expected to begin in time for the 2024-25 campaign. UEFA is reportedly working on a revision that would scrap the current group-stage format and adopt a new financial distribution structure.

Agnelli declared himself a fan of the early proposals – attributing them to Dutch club and ECA member Ajax – but said he wants his organization to have the final sign-off.

“What I can tell you with certainty is that … I will want any and all reforms to go through the General Assembly of the ECA with all clubs voting for whatever our collective future will be,” he said.

Chelsea fired manager Frank Lampard on Monday amid a poor run of form that has seen the club drop to ninth in the Premier League table.

The Blues are finalizing a deal to appoint former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel as Lampard’s replacement, a source told James Olley of ESPN.

“This was a very difficult decision for the club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him,” owner Roman Abramovich said. “He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics.

“He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished. He will always be warmly welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”

Lampard, who starred in Chelsea’s midfield before being appointed manager in July 2019, leaves with one-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.

The club won just 49% of its Premier League matches with him in charge.

Chelsea spent more than £200 million last summer to improve the squad, making a big splash in the market after serving a transfer embargo in 2019.

The west London side offered early evidence of a potential title challenge, going 14 matches unbeaten in all competitions. But Chelsea’s form unraveled in December. Losses to Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Arsenal compelled Lampard to criticize his players for an apparent lack of effort.

He took another shot at his team after the defeat to Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

“The bare minimums are to run, to sprint, to cover ground, and too many of our players didn’t do it,” he said.

Timo Werner, one of Chelsea’s marquee summer signings, endured a particularly troubling spell under Lampard’s supervision. The German striker last scored in the Premier League on Nov. 4, recording a brace in a 4-1 win over Sheffield United.

The form of Kai Havertz, Chelsea’s club-record signing, has raised similar concerns. The 21-year-old failed to settle into Lampard’s 4-3-3 formation while struggling at multiple positions, and he suffered from the effects of COVID-19.

Tuchel, whom PSG fired in December, was reportedly planning to wait until the end of the season before deciding on his next move. But after discussions with Chelsea’s brass and former PSG captain Thiago Silva – who’s now at Stamford Bridge – the German bench boss was convinced to take over the struggling English side, according to Olley.