Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou calls out 'crazy' Arsene Wenger after Europa League moan

has fired back at for suggesting that winners should not automatically qualify for the Champions League, claiming "Spurs does crazy things to people". The former Arsenal manager and current FIFA head of global football, Wenger, cast concerns on Tottenham and Manchester United's potential route into Europe's premier club competition during an interview with BeIN Sports.

"They should qualify automatically for the Europa League again but not necessarily for the Champions League," he argued. Postecoglou, however, strongly disagrees with Wenger's remarks, arguing that the fuss over a rule in place since the 2014-15 season is only because it now affects Spurs.

Ahead of a pivotal semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt in Norway, the Australian coach said: "Well that's a debate that's been raging for years mate - at least the last eight days. I've never heard that before? I've said it before mate, Spurs does crazy things to people, it does, it does.

"You put that club into any sentence or issue and invariably, they all come out and try and diminish us as much as they can. Why wasn't it an issue before but it's an issue now? What's the difference, I don't understand what the difference is?

"Last year fifth didn't get you into the Champions League, now it does, what does that mean? There are competition rules, it's not the first year and there is an asterisk against it that you have to do something else but it's Spurs mate, they love it, you love it.

"I've got great respect for Arsene, he's one of the legends of the game but Spurs does do crazy things to people, I love it."

Postecoglou, the former Celtic manager, is no stranger to the challenges of the Arctic Circle, having experienced a disappointing exit from the UEFA Conference League at the hands of Bodo/Glimt with a 2-0 defeat in 2021 while in charge of the Hoops.

Previously, Postecoglou had opted not to train on Aspmyra Stadion's artificial pitch before the loss, believing there was "not a great deal to be gained".

However, this time, the seasoned 59-year-old is taking no chances as he aims to break Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought. He explained: "It was different circumstances and a different scenario with Celtic.

"We did it in Frankfurt, we've done it consistently in Europe and I just feel it works better for us and the players are used to training the night before at the venue."

Dominic Solanke, who sustained a thigh injury in the first leg last week, joined his Spurs team-mates for training in Norway.