Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has urged UEFA to revamp the Europa League as his side prepare to make their debut in the competition.
Pardew is unhappy that the Magpies have a qualifying round game against Greek outfit Atromitos in Athens on Thursday night less than 48 hours before playing their first Premier League away game of the season at European champions Chelsea. UEFA rejected Newcastle’s plea to reschedule the two legs and Pardew has warned he will travel to Greece without several first-team stars.
But Pardew’s concerns about the Europa League are wider than simply this one fixture anomaly.
He believes the competition structure is “misconceived” and feels UEFA have to look at issues such as match scheduling and Champions League sides dropping down into the Europa League.
Pardew said: “I don’t think I am alone in thinking the Europa League is misconceived in terms of the way it is put together.
“You play so many games and then the Champions League teams fall down to the Europa League – what’s all that about?
“I think it really needs to be looked at to be honest. We are in it though and we will try to win every competition we are in.
“But the fact we will have to juggle our playing staff for the Premier League and the Europa League fixtures means we have to take a bit of a gamble with our chances of progressing in Europe.
“There isn’t a lot of money in it, not unless you win the thing. Not compared to the Premier League.
“I am still, of course, looking forward to the challenge. You want to pit your wits against other nationalities, other managers with different types of football.”
The Magpies’ last European clash, in 2007, ended in defeat against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup – and Pardew admits this tie could be just as tough.
“There is a risk involved. I have to make sure the team I put out on Thursday get a result, and then the team that plays Chelsea is of a certain level.”