Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is of the belief that English clubs that are involved do not place enough emphasis on the Europa League.
The Spurs boss won the competition in 2011 with FC Porto and ahead of his sides second group stage clash with Panathinaikos tomorrow night, is making it clear that he is taking the league seriously regardless of what other managers of English clubs believe.
"The profile of the competition is raised in other countries, but not England. I don't understand it," he said.
"I'm also not in a position to criticise others managers' approach to the competition. I respect the competition. I certainly think it is viewed as a punishment in England and I cannot understand why. It is a traditional trophy.
"We have lost the Cup Winners' Cup, which I did not think was a good decision. But it was taken to enrich the Europa League.
"It's full of tradition, particularly in England, so that's what surprises me even more. Ask my goalkeeping coach Tony Parks about when he won the UEFA Cup with our club in 1984.
"So many great players have won this competition. If you go back to (Ray) Clemence, (Kevin) Keegan and Tony Parks - the list goes on and on.
"You could build the most sensational team of all time (out of Europa League winners)."
