Cheering for winners is always enjoyable, but not every football club can promise consistent success. Fan loyalty is built on more than just trophies. We've compiled a list of top clubs from Europe’s elite leagues that have made it particularly hard for their supporters over the last five seasons.
7. Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone's men last lifted a trophy five years ago, and they've been in a period of stagnation ever since. While the Argentinian manager has aimed to create a more contemporary and attacking side, Atletico’s inconsistency remains a major concern.
They have delivered some thrilling performances, including a memorable 5-2 thrashing of Real Madrid, but crucial points have slipped away when it mattered most.
Given the resources at their disposal and Simeone’s hefty contract, merely fighting for a top-four finish and early exits in the Champions League feel inadequate.
Even during dips for Barcelona and Real Madrid, Atletico failed to seize opportunities for additional silverware.
6. Lyon
Recent years have been anything but smooth for the French outfit. Facing severe financial issues, Lyon came perilously close to emulating the fates of Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux by flirting with relegation from Ligue 1.
The club has offloaded key players, and the beginning of the 2023/24 season saw them languishing in 16th place.
After a series of managerial changes, the chaos was exacerbated by the confusing decisions of American owner John Textor, whose holding company racked up nearly a billion dollars in debt by the end of 2025.
However, the appointment of Michel Kan stabilised the club as she ousted Textor and began to mend broken processes.
5. Marseille
The primary challenge for the Provence side has been a complete lack of direction from their hierarchy. Since early 2021, they have cycled through 11 different managers, each possessing a vastly different philosophy.
The club hasn’t won anything since 2012 and hasn’t claimed Ligue 1 glory since 2010, with rivals like Lille, Montpellier, and Monaco taking the spoils in the interim.
Amidst the ongoing managerial chaos and numerous internal scandals, Marseille has also faced strict UEFA sanctions due to financial rule breaches, resulting in fines and player registration restrictions.
4. Juventus
Since Antonio Conte's reign, Juventus has fallen into a role of also-ran in the Scudetto race. The club lagged a hefty 13 points behind Inter in 2020/21, with subsequent gaps widening to 16, 28, 22, 12, and 18 points.
The much-anticipated arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo unexpectedly transformed the club from one that contested for every trophy into one merely hoping for a top-four finish.
European campaigns have been marred by epic failures, including eliminations by Lyon, Porto, and Villarreal as well as notable losses to Sevilla in the Europa League and against PSV and Galatasaray.
The situation worsened with financial scandals, points deductions during the 2022/23 season, and the resignation of Andrea Agnelli's leadership.
3. Tottenham Hotspur
The Mauricio Pochettino era is long gone, and Tottenham fans are now grappling with the harsh reality of a team fighting for survival in the Premier League.
Despite frequent managerial shifts — including Jose Mourinho’s firing before a League Cup final and the exits of Antonio Conte — the club has struggled to achieve any stability.
New manager Ange Postecoglou delivered a long-awaited trophy after winning the Europa League, but his domestic campaign was a disaster, suffering 22 defeats.
Massive investments in the squad haven’t brought the desired stability, leaving supporters to face the fallout from managerial indecision.
2. Borussia Dortmund
Since Jurgen Klopp’s departure, Dortmund have been stuck in a groundhog day of struggles. The club consistently brings in talented players but often fails with their choice of managers or suffers from injury crises.
Fans have endured countless heartaches, including last-minute title slips in their 2023 encounter against Mainz and a painful loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Niko Kovac’s appointment split opinions among supporters; while some critique him for a pragmatic approach, others appreciate the results achieved despite the playing issues.
1. Manchester United
Top of the list is undoubtedly Manchester United, where managerial chaos continues year upon year, regardless of player changes or new head coaches.
Finishing outside the top four has become the norm, and seeing the team languish in the lower table, even dropping to 15th, alongside early cup exits to lower-league opponents, has shaken fan faith to its core.
The club’s transfer strategy over the past five years has seen eye-watering expenditures, with around €510 million spent on players like Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, Antony, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Manuel Ugarte, and Joshua Zirkzee, yet most have failed to deliver on those hefty investments.
The recent takeover by new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has also garnered criticism, particularly due to increased ticket prices, the removal of perks, staff layoffs, and contentious management decisions.
