9 of the current longest trophy droughts in Europe: Spurs & Newcastle lead the way…
Some sizeable European clubs haven’t lifted silverware for decades – & we’ve done some digging to chart their tale of woe.
Athletic Club were one of those unfortunate teams until winning the 2024 Copa Del Rey final after a nail-biting victory over Mallorca on penalties, sparking wild scenes in Bilbao.
The weight may have been lifted for the Basque club, but some clubs are still living under a cloud of trophylessness. We’ve been taking a look at the clubs with the dustiest trophy cabinets in Europe.
Tottenham
Spurs’ trophy drought isn’t actually that long compared to most of the teams on this list. The North Londoners won a League Cup in 2008, but you have to go back to 1991 for their last FA Cup, and 1961 to find their last top division title.
You’d expect better from a team that has consistently had some pretty excellent players. The good news is that Ange Postecoglou has ‘cup win’ written all over him. Time will tell.
Newcastle United
The last trophy the Magpies won was the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 and, to be honest, that doesn’t really count. No FA Cups since 1955 and no top division titles since 1927…
The Toon came tantalisingly close a couple of times with the Entertainers of the mid-1990s, but Alex Ferguson got inside King Kevin Keegan’s head and messed his brains up.
A cup feels close for Newcastle and, if and when it does happen, we reckon there are going to be an awful lot of Geordie babies born nine months later.
Bologna
The Rossoblu’s cup drought stretches back to 1974, but we’re tipping them to rectify that soon. Thiago Motta has got Bologna playing some wonderful football right now and, if nothing changes between now and the end of the season, they’ll qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Watch this space — we might have to update this section next season.
QUIZ: Can you name every UEFA Cup and Europa League finalist since 1990?
FC Koln
The Billy Goats are on a 41-year trophyless streak. Last time they won the DFB-Pokal, Pierre Littbarski scored the winning goal. Side fact about Littbarski: He was an unlockable player on PES 2008, and he was absolutely mustard.
Sunderland
The Mackems have won absolutely nowt of note since the 1973 FA Cup, and that doesn’t look like changing anytime soon. They do have Jude Bellingham’s little brother up front at the minute, though. If Jobe can channel his inner Jude, there might be a glimmer at the end of the tunnel.
READ NEXT: Ranked: The 10 best players of the modern era to never win a league title
TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every club to win the English league title?
Udinese
Le Zebrette have won a grand total of zero major trophies. Ever. In their entire history. 128 years of hurt.
We still fondly think about their cult team at the start of the 2010s, with Alexis Sanchez and David Di Natale leading the line. We’re rooting for you, little zebras.
Celta Vigo
In terms of major trophies, Los Celestes have won absolutely nada. Gutted.
They must have been green with envy watching Deportivo La Coruna win the league in 2000 and the Copa Del Rey two years later. Even if Depor are now firmly third-tier in Spain.
TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every club in La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga & Ligue 1 in 2023-24?
Genoa
Italy’s oldest club have won nothing, assolutamente niente, since before World War II, their most recent Coppa Italia coming in 1937.
It’s been exactly 100 years since the Genovese won the top league in Italy and, at this point, they might be wondering if they should’ve just stuck to cricket.
Sheffield United
The Blades haven’t won the English top division for 126 years, they haven’t won the FA Cup in 99 years, and they’ve never won the League Cup. Maybe they’ll mark the 100th anniversary of their FA Cup win by adding another one to the cabinet… Maybe. Probably not.