Postecoglou hits back at Wenger's Europa League suggestions

Ange Postecoglou has hit back at Arsene Wenger, after the latter's suggestion that the winner of the Europa League should not automatically qualify for the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur have a 3-1 lead going into Thursday's second leg away to Bodo/Glimt, but they are 16th in the Premier League table with three games to go.

Likewise, Manchester United are 3-0 up against Athletic Bilbao prior to the second leg at Old Trafford and, despite being 15th in the table, would also qualify for the Champions League should they win the competition.

"It's a debate that's been raging for years, at least the last eight days…I've never heard it before. Spurs does crazy things to people," said Postecoglou.

"You put that club into any sentence or any issue and invariably they all come out and try to diminish it as much as they can. It's Spurs mate, they love it.

"It's competition rules. Why wasn't it an issue before and is it an issue now? What's the difference? Last year fifth [in the Premier League] didn't get you into the Champions League, this year it does. What does that mean?"

4 - Arsenal have now failed to progress from each of their last four major cup semi-finals (2020-21 Europa League, 2021-22 League Cup, 2024-25 League Cup, 2024-25 Champions League) - their longest ever run at this stage of competitions. Stumbling. pic.twitter.com/jBpigx4MKI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 7, 2025

UEFA's rules were amended in 2014, allowing the winner of the Europa League direct passage into the Champions League, though Wenger has been a vocal critic of the amendment.

"No, they should qualify automatically for the Europa League again but not necessarily for the Champions League, especially when you're in the Premier League where already five teams qualify," he told BeIN Sports.

"I think it's something [for UEFA] to think about and to review.

"On the other hand, people will tell you that to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivated you need to give them that prize [of qualifying for the Champions League]."