Liverpool and Inter begin their European campaigns

If the rumours that the Europa League is to be scrapped from 2015 are true, we won't have to put up with it much longer. If not, preliminary rounds in July and August for 'weaker' teams and a straight knockout competition (as in the good old days) from September would surely solve most of the problems it poses. This has already been discussed on this site a few months ago.

'arguably the most blatant manifestation of that phenomenon'

???

I'd like to know who's arguing.

It used to be a decent tournament when it was the Uefa Cup and it contained teams finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th in their leagues, but not anymore. Going back to that old model wouldn't be worth it, why have two tournaments - one with the champions and one with the rest who are currently in the Champions League when you can stick with the one.

Plenty of teams do seem to like the competition though, so I'd say if Liverpool or Inter have no interest in it, they should pass on their place to another team in their league.

Perhaps participation shold be voluntary. If the competition was made up of the highest ranked teams in each country who WANTED to take part it might increase the interest.

Anyone that moans about the UEFA Cup/Europa League, or wants to rebrand it, or wants it ended because it's "irrelevant", despises the soul of football.

@ wittoner

An excellent idea. Either those clubs who treat the Europa League as a chore would be forced to come out into the open or, if they opted to stay in after all, they would be morally obliged to take it more seriously. If they didn't, they would face ridicule and, hopefully, disciplinary action from UEFA.

The solution is to increase the prize money in all stages of the Europa League. That's the reason the Champions League is "brilliant" and the Europa League is "a nuisence". It's all about the money. To get clubs interested in taking part there needs to be a sufficient carrot. One Champions League place for the winners is not nearly enough.

Champions league qualification for both finalists? Or even all four semi-finalists?

On the other hand, they could decrease the amount of prize money in the champions league.

Nah, they wouldn't be able to call it the 'Champions League' if half the tems in it weren't champions of anything.

Er...hang on...

Inter did their best to secure an early exit last night. Somehow I don't think they're going to win the competition.