Arsene Wenger has called for a major rule change in the Europa League as Manchester United and Tottenham edge closer to setting up an all-English final. Both clubs have endured underwhelming domestic campaigns, languishing in 15th and 16th place in the Premier League with just three matches remaining.
Still, Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim have one final opportunity for redemption through Europe’s secondary competition, where lifting the trophy would grant them a backdoor route into the 2025/26 Champions League. With England already securing a fifth Champions League spot due to strong UEFA performances – bolstered by Chelsea and Arsenal’s continued involvement –there’s a possibility that up to seven English teams could qualify next season
Wenger, the legendary former Gunners boss who is currently serving as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, has voiced concern over this setup, suggesting the rules should be revised to prevent such an accessible path to Europe’s top competition in future seasons.
Arsene Wenger Suggests Scrapping Major Europa League Rule
The Frenchman believes triumph shouldn’t amount to Champions League access
Forming his opinions during an appearance on beIN SPORTS on Sunday night, Wenger voiced the belief that winning the Europa League should not give the victors a route into the following season’s Champions League. He said (watch around 2:00 of the video below):
“They should qualify automatically for the Europa League again, not necessarily for the Champions League. Especially when you’re in a league where five teams qualify.”
He did, however, acknowledge that UEFA likely feels the need to maintain a strong incentive at the end of Europe’s secondary competition in order to keep it competitive. Separate from Wenger’s point, some argue that the revised Champions League format – where top teams that failed to advance no longer drop into the Europa League – has already diminished the prestige of winning the tournament.
Last season, teams like AC Milan and Feyenoord strengthened the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League groups, just as Ajax, Barcelona, and Juventus had done the year before. But under the new structure, the path to the trophy seems more straightforward – highlighted by the prospect of two subpar English clubs sleepwalking their way to the final on May 21.
Both Tottenham and Manchester United scored three goals in the first leg of their respective semi-finals last week, and it’s unlikely that either side will surrender their convincing leads during the second leg this Thursday, leaving Bodo/Glimt and Athletic Bilbao to wonder what could have been as the Premier League strengthens its case as Europe’s best division.
