Ange Postecoglou slams legendary Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger’s controversial Europa League take

Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou has gone on the offensive after legendary manager Arsene Wenger called for the Europa League competition to become less important.

Ange Postecoglou has hit back at Arsene Wenger after he claimed the Europa League winners should NOT get a Champions League spot.

Tottenham go into their semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt with a 3-1 lead as they look to qualify for Europe’s elite competition next season.

But ahead of tomorrow’s huge tie, legendary Arsenal boss Wenger said UEFA need to look at ditching the rule that rewards the Europa League champions, The Sun reports.

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Spurs manager Postecoglou hit back when asked about the comments, saying: “Well, that’s a debate that’s been raging for years, mate … at least the last eight days.

“I’ve said it before mate, Spurs does crazy things to people, it does.

“You put that club into any sentence or any issue, and invariably they all come out to diminish as much as they can.

“Why wasn’t it an issue before and it’s an issue now? What’s the difference? I don’t understand what the difference is.

BODO, NORWAY – MAY 07: Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, talks during a press conference ahead of their UEFA Europe League 2024/25 semi final second leg match against FK Bodo/Glimt at Aspmyra Stadion on May 07, 2025 in Bodo, Norway. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said UEFA need to look at ditching the rule that rewards the Europa League champions. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images for Laureus)

“Last year fifth didn’t get you Champions League, this year it does. There are competition rules.

“I’ve got a great respect for Arsene but it does crazy things to people – I love it.

“But it’s Spurs mate, they love it. They love it.”

The rule that the Europa League winners qualify for the Champions League has been around since the 2014-15 campaign.

But Wenger is not a fan of it, saying on BeIN Sports: “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.

“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.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Ange Postecoglou slams legendary Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger’s controversial Europa League take