Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has hit back at Arsène Wenger’s remarks questioning why Europa League winners are granted automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League, suggesting that “Spurs does crazy things to people.”

Wenger, former Arsenal manager and now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, recently expressed doubts over the current UEFA policy, stating that clubs who win the Europa League should instead return to the same competition the following season, rather than being elevated to the Champions League.

Postecoglou, whose Spurs side carry a 3–1 advantage into the second leg of their Europa League semi-final at Bodo/Glimt’s Aspmyra Stadion on Thursday, dismissed the argument as oddly timed and inconsistent.

Tottenham currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, with Manchester United—who lead Athletic Club 3–0 in the other semi-final—just one point ahead in 15th. Neither side is expected to qualify for Europe through league position, making the Europa League a crucial lifeline. The two winners will meet in the final in Bilbao on 21 May.

Addressing the comments in Norway, Postecoglou said:

“It’s a debate that’s been raging for years—at least the last eight days… I’ve never heard it before. Spurs does crazy things to people.

“You put that club into any sentence or any issue, and invariably everyone comes out and tries to diminish it as much as they can.

“It’s Spurs, mate—they love it.

“It’s the competition rules. Why wasn’t it an issue before, and why is it now? What’s the difference? Last year, finishing fifth in the Premier League didn’t get you into the Champions League—this year, it does. What does that mean?”

UEFA introduced the current rule in 2014, allowing the winners of the Europa League to qualify automatically for the Champions League group stage the following season. Wenger, however, believes the policy is flawed.

Speaking to BeIN Sports, he said:

“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 can qualify. I think it’s something UEFA should think about and review.”