Last updated on May 8, 2025
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Wenger believes that this backdoor route to the Champions League is unfair.
Image credit: EuroFoot
Arsene Wenger has called for a UEFA rule change that could see potential Europa League winners like Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur denied a Champions League spot next season.
Manchester United and Tottenham are set to clash in the Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21, having secured strong leads in their semi-final ties.
With both clubs underperforming domestically—United sitting 15th and Spurs 16th in the Premier League—victory in Europe presents their only route back to elite continental competition.
However, former Arsenal manager Wenger believes that this backdoor route to the Champions League is unfair.
Speaking to BeIN Sports, he argued that clubs finishing so low in their domestic leagues shouldn’t be allowed to leapfrog others into Europe’s top-tier tournament simply by winning a second-tier one.
“They should qualify automatically for the Europa League next season, not the Champions League,” Wenger said. “Especially when you’re in a league like the Premier League where five teams can already qualify. UEFA needs to revisit that rule.”
UEFA introduced the rule in 2014 to boost the importance and competitiveness of the Europa League.
It worked. Interest in the competition has grown, with clubs now more motivated to take it seriously.
But Wenger feels this has come at the cost of merit-based qualification.
While acknowledging the logic of incentivizing the tournament, Wenger insists the Champions League should be reserved for teams who demonstrate consistency over a full season, not just a few standout matches in Europe.
Ruben Amorim, United’s current manager, has already admitted the club is focusing on European glory as their league form continues to falter.
Similarly, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is eyeing the club’s first trophy since 2008.
Wenger, who now works as FIFA’s Head of Global Football Development, is no stranger to bold suggestions.
He has previously proposed changes to the offside rule and supported the idea of a biennial World Cup.
