Europe’s top club coaches have been contemplating whether the away goals rule should remain in force in the Champions League and Europa League.

The rule was introduced nearly 50 years ago when playing away in Europe was a novelty, but critics say it has now become counter-productive, unnecessary and unfair.

“There was a bit of a debate about whether it has any significance today,” said former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson following a meeting of the elite coaches’ forum at UEFA headquarters yesterday.

“Some think it is not as important as it used to be... and the attacking emphasis on the game today means more teams go away from home and win.

“If we go back, say, 30 years, counter-attacking consisted of one or maybe two, players. Today, counter-attacks have players flooding forward in fives or sixes and really positive, quick passing.”

The rule, under which away goals count double if a two-legged tie ends with the aggregate scores level, was introduced into European competition in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965-66.

It was first used in a second-round tie when Honved progressed at the expense of Dukla Prague following a 4-4 aggregate draw.

“What is helping is that the state of the pitches, pitches are fantastic nowadays, so coming out of defence with passes is much easier than it was 30 years ago, and you get a better attitude to counter-attack today than you did 30 years ago,” said Ferguson.

Rather than encouraging visiting teams to attack, the fear of conceding a potentially decisive away goal often makes home teams more cautious and the rule also means that some goals turn out to be worth more than others.

“From a personal point of view, when I was playing at home, I used to say to myself, don’t lose a goal,” said Ferguson.