Gary Pallister slams Arsene Wenger’s comments on Europa League and Champions League qualification
Manchester United legend Gary Pallister has sharply criticized former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for his recent comments about Europa League winners qualifying for the Champions League.
Wenger, who suggested that the practice should be reconsidered, was met with opposition from Pallister, who believes the current system should remain unchanged. Speaking to William Hill on Thursday, May 8, Pallister defended the incentive for winning the Europa League, stating that it provides valuable motivation for teams.
“It’s great that winning the Europa League can get you into the Champions League. I can understand what he’s saying, it’s all about finishing in a high position in your [domestic] league, but I don’t know, I’m not sure about that one myself… It’s a great incentive for teams in the Europa League,” Pallister said.
Pallister also took aim at Wenger’s views, claiming the Frenchman has “a few strange ideas” about football, and not all of them are beneficial to the game.
“Wenger has a few strange ideas, I think. Not all of them are good. If they are going to change it, it won’t be for this season. It’s for the powers that be to discuss that. I think they’ll leave it the same. It’s a massive incentive for the players who aren’t playing in the Champions League. I’d leave it the way it is,” he added.
Wenger had expressed his disagreement with the current rule, which allows Europa League winners an automatic spot in the Champions League group stage.
Meanwhile, two Premier League clubs, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, are both close to reaching the Europa League final this season. Both teams won their first-leg semifinals and will face off in the second leg on Thursday, May 8, despite sitting in 15th and 16th places in the Premier League respectively.
