Mauricio Pochettino has claimed Premier League clubs struggle in the Champions League because European football plays second fiddle to the domestic game.
No Premier League club has lifted European’s principal club competition since Chelsea did so in 2012 – and they were also England’s last finalists.
The recent record contrasts sharply with performances in the last decade, when Liverpool won in 2005, Manchester United beat Chelsea in the final in 2008, and Arsenal, Liverpool and United were finalists in 2006, 2007 and 2009 respectively.
Yet Tottenham boss Pochettino believes the Premier League will always be No1 for players and supporters in England, whereas he argues European competition is the priority elsewhere.
Pochettino said: “When you are here the Premier League is the main competition for every player. When you are here the players want to fight to try to win it, maybe because we are not in [mainland] Europe.
“In Italy, France and Spain the Champions League is the most important competition, but in English culture, it is the Premier League and then the FA Cup. The Champions League and Europa League are important but they are not at the level of the Premier League.
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“It is so difficult to explain to people on the outside. Only when you are here you understand that the Premier League is massive for every club, the players too. In Spain or Italy, they prioritise the Champions League over the domestic competition.
“Further down the table, teams prioritise the Europa League over the domestic league. It seems like a small thing but is massive. The Premier League is the most tough, impressive and exciting league in the world.”
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