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Former Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger has voiced his disapproval of UEFA’s current policy that grants Europa League winners automatic entry into the Champions League, calling the rule “not right.”
His comments come as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur head into the second legs of their Europa League semi-finals, both holding first-leg leads. The final is scheduled to take place in Bilbao on May 21. Despite their European success this season, both clubs are struggling domestically—United sit 15th in the Premier League while Spurs are one place below in 16th—effectively ruling them out of qualification for any European competition through league position.
Under a 2014 rule change, UEFA allows Europa League winners to enter the Champions League in the following season. Wenger, speaking to BeIN Sports, argued against the fairness of this approach.
“I don’t think it’s right,” said Wenger. “They should automatically return to the Europa League but not be granted a Champions League place—especially in a league like the Premier League, where already five teams can qualify.”
While acknowledging that the Champions League incentive helps maintain interest in the Europa League, Wenger urged UEFA to reconsider the policy.
Critics and supporters alike cite past examples: Manchester United, under José Mourinho, claimed a Champions League berth by winning the Europa League in 2018, despite a sixth-place finish in the league. Historically, only teams finishing as low as 12th—like Sevilla in 2023 and Fulham in 2010—have reached or won the final since the competition's rebranding in 2009.
Wenger, who stepped down as Arsenal manager in 2018 and now serves as FIFA’s head of global football development, has previously proposed sweeping reforms to the sport, including changes to the offside rule and advocating for a biennial World Cup.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Samuel Regan-Asante, Pixabay / Bernie Varem
