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In football, history and prestige often go hand in hand, with some clubs boasting cabinet rooms filled with gleaming trophies. However, there are numerous teams across Europe, brimming with passionate fans and storied histories, that have yet to lift a major title. These teams, though they have come close on several occasions, have never quite managed to cross the finish line and claim that elusive trophy. Yet their tales of near misses, heartbreak, and perseverance are what makes them so compelling to football lovers around the world.
If you're looking for a new challenge in FM with our data update, take a closer look at six of European clubs that are still waiting to taste major glory. Whether due to fierce competition, bad luck, or narrow defeats, these teams are due for a breakthrough moment. From Spain’s sun-soaked stadiums to Germany’s fervent fanbases, here are six European clubs who, despite their storied histories and passionate followings, have never won a major trophy.
Fulham
Fulham, the oldest professional football club in London, founded in 1879, has a long and storied history, but their trophy cabinet remains surprisingly bare. Despite their 145 years of existence, the Cottagers have never claimed a major domestic or international trophy. Their closest brushes with glory came in the FA Cup final of 1975, where they finished runners-up, and in the Europa League final in 2010, where they narrowly lost to Atlético Madrid. They did win the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2003, but that isn’t considered a major trophy by most footballing standards.
While Fulham have found success in the lower divisions, with multiple Championship and League One titles to their name, they’ve struggled to compete with the elite clubs in the Premier League. However, recent years have shown promise, with the club establishing itself as a competitive side in the top tier, often playing attractive football under progressive management.
Fulham’s Craven Cottage is one of the most iconic stadiums in England, and their loyal supporters continue to dream of one day seeing the Whites lift a major trophy. As a Football Manager, you could be the one to finally bring that long-awaited success to Fulham.
Transfer Budget: 20,000,000 (£)
Wage Budget: 1,000,000 (£)
Top 3 Players:
- 🏴 Emile Smith Rowe | AM RLC
- 🇩🇪 Bernd Leno | GK
- 🇩🇰 Joachim Andersen | DC
Top 3 Promising Players:
- 🏴 Josh King | DM
- 🇨🇭 Kristian Šekularac | AM RLC
- 🏴 Lemar Gordon | AM RLC
1. FC Union Berlin
Union Berlin’s story is one of resilience, patience, and perseverance. Originally founded in 1906, the club endured multiple reorganizations, including a rebirth in 1966 following football’s restructuring in East Germany. Despite winning the East German Cup in 1968, Union Berlin has never claimed a major national or international title. However, in recent years, the club has experienced a remarkable rise, cementing itself as one of the most exciting teams in Germany.
Union Berlin’s climb to prominence began in earnest after securing promotion to the Bundesliga for the 2019/20 season. They’ve since continued their upward trajectory, qualifying for European competitions for the first time in their history. The “Iron Men” reached the Europa Conference League in 2021/22, then made it to the Europa League group stage the following season. Their crowning achievement came in 2023/24, when they qualified for the prestigious UEFA Champions League. Their passionate fanbase and tight-knit community make Union Berlin one of the most special clubs in Europe.
Transfer Budget: 4,000,000 (£)
Wage Budget: 696,000 (£)
Top 3 Players:
- 🇩🇰 Frederik Rønnow | GK
- 🇩🇪 Rani Khedira | DM
- 🇳🇱 Danilho Doekhi | DC
Top 3 Promising Players:
- 🇩🇪 Tom Rothe | D/WB L
- 🇦🇹 Leopold Querfeld | D C, DM
- 🇩🇪 Aljoscha Kemlein | DM
RC Celta de Vigo
Celta Vigo, the pride of Galicia, has endured over 100 years of top-level football without a major trophy to their name. Despite their longstanding presence in La Liga, with numerous finishes in the top four, they have come agonizingly close to winning silverware, particularly in the Copa del Rey. Three times, Celta reached the final of Spain’s domestic cup, only to leave empty-handed, falling to Sevilla in 1948 and Real Zaragoza in both 1994 and 2001.
Their European record is nothing to scoff at either. The club made it to the semi-finals of the Europa League in 2016 and has reached the quarter-finals on four separate occasions. Celta regularly attracts sizable crowds to their Balaídos Stadium, and with their loyal fanbase, it’s only a matter of time before they get another shot at glory.
Transfer Budget: 7,000,000 (£)
Wage Budget: 489,000 (£)
Top 3 Players:
- 🇪🇸 Iago Aspas | AM RC, F C
- 🇪🇸 Óscar Mingueza | D RC
- 🇺🇸 Luca De La Torre | AM RLC
Top 3 Promising Players:
- 🇪🇸 Hugo Sotelo | M RC
- 🇪🇸 Fer López | DM
- 🇸🇪 Williot Swedberg | AM RLC, F C
Udinese Calcio
Based in the Italian Alps, Udinese Calcio has spent decades in Serie A, but their trophy cabinet remains barren. The club’s best league finish came in 1955 when they finished second to AC Milan. While Udinese has enjoyed several forays into European competition, including a quarter-final appearance in the UEFA Cup in 2009, they have yet to claim a major honor. Known for developing talented players like Alexis Sánchez, Udinese continues to be a solid mid-table presence in Italy’s top division. With a well-established scouting system and a loyal fanbase, Udinese could be one good run away from ending their wait for a major trophy.
Transfer Budget: 7,000,000 (£)
Wage Budget: 571,000 (£)
Top 3 Players:
- 🇨🇱 Alexis Sánchez | ST
- 🇪🇸 Gerard Deulofeu | AM RL, ST
- 🇮🇹 Lorenzo Lucca | ST
Top 3 Promising Players:
- 🇸🇮 David Pejičić | AM C
- 🇪🇸 Iker Bravo | ST
- 🇫🇷 Axel Guessand | D LC
SC Freiburg
Nestled in Germany’s southwest corner, SC Freiburg has emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting teams in recent years. Founded in 1904, Freiburg has become a consistent presence in Germany’s top flight, even finishing third in 1995. However, they are still chasing that elusive first major trophy.
Under long-serving coach Christian Streich, Freiburg has made significant strides, reaching their first-ever DFB Pokal final in 2022. Though they ultimately fell to RB Leipzig, the club’s brand-new Europa-Park Stadium and packed stands signal a team on the rise. With their astute management and growing fanbase, Freiburg are one of the clubs most likely to add silverware to their trophy cabinet in the near future.
Transfer Budget: 4,000,000 (£)
Wage Budget: 707,000 (£)
Top 3 Players:
- 🇩🇪 Matthias Ginter | D RC
- 🇮🇹 Vincenzo Grifo | AM LC
- 🇩🇪 Nicolas Höfler | DM
Top 3 Promising Players:
- 🇫🇮 Jaaso Jantunen | GK
- 🇨🇭 Bruno Ogbus | D C, S
- 🇩🇪 Marco Wörner | AM C
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion, a club with over a century of history, has experienced a remarkable rise in recent years, but they are still chasing their first major trophy. Founded in 1901, the Seagulls have come close to glory on a few occasions, most notably in 1983 when they reached the FA Cup final but were beaten by Manchester United. Their major honors include the Community Shield in 1910 and titles in the lower tiers of English football, including League One and League Two.
Since being promoted to the Premier League in 2017, after a long 34-year absence from the top flight, Brighton has steadily improved their standing. Under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, who took charge in 2022, the club achieved their highest-ever finish in the Premier League, securing sixth place at the end of the 2022-23 season and qualifying for the Europa League for the first time in their history.
The Seagulls’ rise to prominence makes them one of the most exciting teams in England, with an eye for clever recruitment and attacking football. However, they are still waiting for that elusive first major trophy, and you could be the manager to deliver it.
Transfer Budget: 70,000,000 (£)
Wage Budget: 2,000,000 (£)
Top 3 Players:
- 🏴 Lewis Dunk | D C
- 🇳🇱 Jan Paul van Hecke | D C
- 🇪🇨 Pervis Estupiñán | D/WB/M L
Top 3 Promising Players:
- 🇮🇪 Evan Ferguson | ST
- 🇵🇾 Julio Enciso | AM RLC
- 🇩🇪 Brajan Gruda | AM RLC
- Date Created
- 30 Oct 2024 18:08:05
- Date Updated
- 31 Oct 2024 07:04:03
- Last Comment
- 13 Nov 2024 02:43:17
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fcdorados14
A few years ago I read articles about Union Berlin that were quite complementary of this club's overall friendly climate and culture. Alte Forsterei is the stadium. Among the many topics in this lengthy article was the view of the stadium as that of more what true football lovers appreciate. Smaller. Tighter. A community coming together as opposed to the large, overly noisy and just too impersonal (though perhaps impressive from architechtural and organisational perspectives). The easy contrast is with the often unfilled Olympic stadium for Hertha Berlin. There is just no comparison for atmosphere or views around the ground, for fan comraderie. Maybe part of the feeling and club image as the “little guy” who tries so hard fits, and it would be bad if “Die Eiserne Union” actually won a big(ger) title. There are many who thought it might spell the death of this great small club once they tasted the big money of the Champions League just a few seasons ago. (This is why so many of their faithful were not so quietly happy that their venture into the CL was a disaster.) The fanclubs were quite nervous when the business-only-focused-types were talking of stadium expansion and more.
One thing that I think is probably available to view on something like YouTube would be the club's hosted free Christmas concert. It's a sing-along. Everyone can participate. When I read about it some years back, my understanding was that admission was free. There's a programme for this annual event, but for a number of songs, everyone is a participant. All voices sing together. The joys are the voices of those all around you. I've seen photos with many holding candles and it is December so it's dark all around. I think these are just some of the few aspects that make a stopover in this part of Berlin what is so appealing for the cultured groundhoppers. And - you can learn about the Captain of Kopenick….
So if you takeover Union Berlin as the FM manager and take them to the top, just remember to keep a few of the aspects that make this smaller club the envy of many, many. The Germans call it Vereinskultur. Modernity has eroded this mightily from many of the big, familar named clubs that come to mind when one thinks of German football. Union stands out as something quite, quite different. Noting also their firey (but often muzzled) differences between a club that goes by BFC Dynamo, a club and presence that were just too nearby, too much of a very dark shadow. I think this is also truly a reason why Union has such a special place in the hearts of so many.