Champions League play-off plan is ‘hare-brained’, says Ferguson
MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished proposals to introduce a play-off for the final Champions League place.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, Liverpool’s Rafael Benitez and Everton’s David Moyes have all criticised the plans, which would see teams finishing fourth to seventh in the Premier League battle it out for the spot.
Aston Villa chief Martin O’Neill is one of the few top-flight chiefs to have given a positive reception to a revamp designed to make the division more competitive.
“There’s always someone coming up with hare-brained schemes from time to time. I don’t know why people would want to change the format of the Premier League – it’s very good,” said Ferguson.
“The product is good. It sells well all over the world. People want to watch English games on television. There’s no real need to change.
“Okay, all teams in the Premier League would like to be in Europe but there’s a way of doing that and it’s to finish in the right position.”