These 5 European giants doomed to a trophyless season

TL;DR

Five major European football clubs are predicted to finish the season without any trophies. Factors such as managerial changes and team struggles contribute to their disappointing outcomes.

Key points

Five European clubs expected to finish trophyless
Real Madrid is among the clubs mentioned
Managerial changes impact team performance
Growing pains contribute to lack of success
Trophyless seasons affect club reputation

Mentioned in this story

Real Madrid

These 5 European giants doomed to a trophyless season

In top-level football, the line between triumph and collapse is razor-thin. As spring delivers its final verdicts, several giants already know their fate: their trophy cabinet will stay shut this summer. A year of nothingness.

Between growing pains and a merry-go-round of managers, here’s a look at five big clubs set to end the season without a single medal. The important thing is taking part...

Real Madrid, failure on a grand scale

The king of the Champions League has abdicated. Knocked out on Wednesday night by Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals, Los Blancos have lost their last hope of silverware. The 2025-26 season has been one rupture after another: after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure for the Brazil national team in the summer of 2025, then Xabi Alonso’s dismissal last January, it is Álvaro Arbeloa who is seeing out the season as the emergency firefighter. Left behind in La Liga by an imperial Barça, Real are heading for their first trophyless season since 2021.

Juventus, the Old Lady left stranded

In Italy, the Igor Tudor project was short-lived, ending as early as last October. Under Luciano Spalletti, appointed to steady the ship, Juventus showed signs of improvement but had started from too far back. Eliminated from the Coppa Italia in the quarter-finals and knocked out of Europe by Galatasaray (7-5 on aggregate in the play-offs), Juve are now watching Inter Milan pull away toward the title. A transitional season carrying serious weight in Piedmont.

Ajax, the DNA crisis

This is probably the most worrying collapse. Ajax are going through a deep identity crisis. Dumped out of the Dutch Cup without glory after a crushing 6-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar, and well adrift in the league (with PSV already crowned champions), the Lancers are finishing the campaign in the anonymity of the Eredivisie top five. For the first time in decades, the Amsterdam institution seems to have lost its compass.

Man United, the theatre of missed appointments

Instability continues to reign at Old Trafford. Despite an ambitious recruitment drive (Mbeumo, Šeško and Cunha), United parted ways with Ruben Amorim as early as 5 January 2026. The interim spell overseen by club legend Michael Carrick was not enough to make up the abyssal gap in the Premier League. Knocked out early from all domestic cups and with no European campaign to shine in, the Red Devils will have to settle for fighting over a Champions League spot.

Q&A

Which five European football clubs are likely to end the season trophyless?

The article identifies five major European clubs, including Real Madrid, that are expected to finish the season without any trophies.

What factors are leading to these clubs' trophyless seasons?

Growing pains within the teams and frequent managerial changes are key factors contributing to their lack of success this season.

How does a trophyless season impact a football club's reputation?

A trophyless season can significantly damage a club's reputation, affecting player morale, fan support, and future recruitment efforts.

What does it mean for a football club to have a 'trophy cabinet'?

A 'trophy cabinet' refers to the collection of trophies and awards a football club has won, symbolizing its success and achievements in competitions.