Ange Postecoglou has commented on reports that the Premier League are considering scrapping points deductions and also discussed the financial importance of qualifying for the Champions League.
The Daily Mail reported yesterday that Premier League clubs are contemplating binning points deductions and instead introducing a luxury tax, similar to the model used effectively in American sports.
Hefty points deduction for Everton and Nottingham Forest coupled with an unusually quiet January transfer window has forced Premier League clubs to re-think the current model in place.
Postecoglou spoke on the matter and said it’s not about how much money you have, but how you spend it. He was also asked about the importance for clubs to qualify for the Champions League in order to keep themselves financially in check, which Postecoglou said does not always improve fortunes on the pitch.
He said: “I come from a world of equalisation in Australia, like in American sports, and I didn’t like it one bit.
“In Australia, we’ve had the salary cap and something similar to a luxury tax. It kept the competition even but I felt it suppressed the ability to be the best. You do want competitive leagues and not teams outspending to win things. It’s not about having money, it’s how you spend it.
“Newcastle made the Champions League last year, has it helped them this year? We’re not banks, we are football clubs. We are not financial institutions. I don’t get measured by the balance sheet at the end of the year.
“You can see how difficult it is to juggle Champions League when you don’t build your squad. To be fair to Eddie, he’s had some horrendous injuries but what I’m saying is the Champions League is great, the money is great, but does that mean we’re going to fiish third next year? No, in fact, it’s probably going to be more challenging.
“My role in all that is to not worry about the financial pressure of making the Champions League but it’s to create a squad that can hopefully compete in the Champions League and the Premier League.”
