Ange Postecoglou returned to Arsene Wenger, after the suggestion of the latter that the winner of the Europa League should not automatically be eligible for the Champions League.
Tottenham Hotspur has a 3-1 lead in the second stage from Thursday to Bodo/Glimt, but they are 16th in the Premier League table with three more games to go.
Likewise, Manchester United 3-0 against Athletic Bilbao prior to the second stage in Old Trafford and, despite being 15th in the table, would also be eligible for the Champions League if they win the competition.
“It is a debate that has been raging for years, at least in the last eight days … I've never heard it before. Spurs is doing crazy things to people,” Postecoglou said.
“You place that club in a sentence or another issue and they all come out and try to reduce it as much as possible. It's Spurs Mate, they love it.
“They are competition rules. Why was it not a problem before and is it a problem now? What is the difference? Fifth last year [in the Premier League] I didn't get you in the Champions League this year. What does that mean? “
4-Arsenal is now not in the progress of each of their last four Major Cup-Halve Final (2020-21 Europa League, 2021-22 League Cup, 2024-25 League Cup, 2024-25 Champions League) -hun longest run in this phase of matches of matches. Stumble. pic.twitter.com/jbpigx4mki
– Optajoe (@Optajoe) 7 May 2025
The UEFA rules were changed in 2014, as a result of which the winner of the Europa League immediately allowed passage to the Champions League, although Wenger was a vocal critic of the amendment.
“No, they have to automatically qualify for the Europa League, but not necessarily for the Champions League, especially if you are in the Premier League where five teams are already eligible,” he said Bein Sports.
“I think it's something [for UEFA] To think about and assess.
“On the other hand, people will tell you that to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivated, you have to give them that price [of qualifying for the Champions League]. “