Trophies are the cleanest way to measure the success of a football manager. Sure, not all trophies are created equal, but silverware is the ultimate aim for managers at the top of the sport.

Most Successful Football Managers:

The arrival of a great manager will improve a team’s football betting odds. Some will have an impact beyond their own club, changing the way the game is thought about or how clubs are run.

Here are the most successful managers of all-time, ranked by the total number of trophies won:

Giovanni Trapattoni Trophies

Giovanni Trapattoni has managed some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Inter, Milan, Juventus, and Bayern Munich.

Only four other countries – two of which feature in this article – have won league titles in four different European countries, and Trapattoni is one of three coaches to win all three of UEFA’s major club competitions.

Renowned for his quotable press conferences and his take on Catenaccio, Trapattoni is one of the modern managerial greats.

France Football voted him the 12th best manager of all-time in 2019 – many would have ranked him even higher. 

Jose Mourinho Trophies

At one point, José Mourinho looked destined to finish near the very top of this list.

Mourinho has declined from his glorious days in west London, Porto, and Milan, leaving him tied for eighth after leaving Roma in 2024. 

The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ is clearly one of the best managers in Premier League history. He won three Premier League titles with Chelsea across two spells before frustrating stints with Tottenham and Manchester United. 

While he’s no longer the manager he once was, peak Mourinho was a tactical mastermind and genius motivator who brought success to every club he was employed by.

Ottmar Hitzfeld Trophies

Twice named World Coach of the Year, Ottmar Hitzfeld collected trophies relentlessly across his spells with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

He led both of the Bundesliga giants to Champions League titles, and saw his teams named German champions on seven occasions. Prior to that, he won a couple of league titles with Grasshopper.

Hitzeld finished off his managerial career with Switzerland, and reportedly turned down a big money offer from the Chinese Super League.

Luiz Felipe Scolari Trophies

His brief appearance in Premier League odds didn’t work out, yet Luiz Felipe Scolari has a trophy haul rivalled by few managers in football history.

Scolari has been a manager for over 40 years, winning silverware in Japan, China, Brazil, Uzbekistan, and Kuwait. 

On the international stage, he led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup, and the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Named South American Coach of the year on two occasions, Scolari’s trophy tally is worth plaudits, even if he never cracked European football. 

Jock Stein Trophies

Dominant with Celtic throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Jock Stein won 10 league titles, eight Scottish Cups and the European Cup.

He won almost 70% of his matches in charge of Celtic after spells with Dunfermline, Hibernian, and Scotland.

After a short stint with Leeds, Stein was again named Scotland manager. He led them through an impressive qualifying campaign, but tragically passed away before their final qualifying match against Wales.

Alex Ferguson – Stein’s assistant – took over for the match and led the Scots into the 1986 World Cup. 

Carlo Ancelotti Trophies

He might not have an extensive coaching tree like some others on this list, but there is no question Carlo Ancelotti ranks among the greatest managers of all-time.

He’s the only manager to have won league titles in all of Europe’s top five leagues, and holds the record for the most Champions League wins as a manager - winning the competition once again in 2024.

Winner of a double at Chelsea, the Italian added more hardware across stops in Paris and Munich. Before returning to the Santiago Bernabeu, he managed both Everton and Napoli.

After winning La Décima in his first stint with Los Blancos, Ancelotti won two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues in his second spell. 

Valeriy Lobanovskyi Trophies

Valeriy Lobanovskyi is one of football’s greatest tactical innovators. Influential in the rise of Total Football, Lobanovskyi collected records at a remarkable rate in the Soviet Union.

The Ukrainian made Dynamo Kyiv into one of the best teams in the world – they reached the last eight of the European Cup or better on eight occasions.

The eight league titles in the Soviet Top League only tell part of Lobanovskyi’s story.

An excellent motivator – with colleagues describing him as a psychologist – Lobanovskyi combined football prediction knowhow with brilliant man management to craft an exceptional managerial career. 

Mircea Lucescu Trophies

Successful in Romania, Italy, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia, Mircea Lucescu will be best remembered for his entertaining Shakhtar Donetsk sides.

Lucescu has also taken charge of Zenit, Galatasaray, Besiktas, and Dynamo Kyiv, and guided Brescia to the Serie B title in 1991-92.

While he was often linked with jobs in Western Europe, Lucescu never returned to Europe’s top five leagues after a disappointing spell with Inter in 1998-99. 

Pep Guardiola Trophies

Pep Guardiola has been named IFFHS’ World’s Best Club Coach on three occasions. That’s arguably a bit harsh given the success he has brought to Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. 

Winner of trebles with Barcelona and Manchester City, Guardiola has broken records everywhere he’s gone.

City are the first team in the Premier League era to win four consecutive titles. He has won 11 league titles in 15 topflight seasons.

Sir Alex Ferguson Trophies

The individual awards are plentiful. The 13 league titles and two Champions Leagues speak for themselves.

Alex Ferguson’s achievements in management are unrivalled, such was his prolonged success with Manchester United after winning three league titles and a European trophy with Aberdeen. 

You can take your pick with what to focus on when reflecting on Ferguson’s career. His commitment to trusting young players remains admirable, as was his ability to manage big egos (even if that meant moving them on).

The mind games with other managers were part of the entertainment, and the on-pitch product was often box office.

---

*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

Kylian Mbappe has already had a significant impact on football betting worldwide.

A World Cup winner, a multiple champion of France and one of the sport’s biggest stars, Mbappe is destined for greatness. Some would argue he’s already there.

From featuring regularly in Champions League odds to his mega money move to Real Madrid, Mbappe is one of the faces of modern football.

He’s as recognisable as they come. He has already drawn comparisons to all-time greats, including compatriot Thierry Henry and the Brazilian Ronaldo.

Mbappe’s standing in the game cannot be overstated. He provides constant reminders of his talent, underlined by his blistering pace.

The Frenchman is arguably the fastest football player on the planet. Defenders aplenty have been left in his wake, unable to stay in the frame as Mbappe surges through on goal.

He is as valuable off the pitch as he is on it. Marketers love Mbappe, and he’s plying his trade in one of the world’s most glamorous cities alongside the likes of Luka Modric and Vinicius Jr.

• There are a large number of talented coaches available for work at present

• Each season sees a high turnover of managers in the Premier League

• These managers will surely be on many club’s wish-lists in the months ahead 

---

Being a football manager is a dream job for many sports betting fans worldwide. Even the best in the business don’t have much job security, though, with clubs becoming more and more trigger-happy over the last couple of decades.

Failure can be lucrative in football management with whopping severance packages for the highest-paid managers. Being out of work for months or even years is financially viable for the biggest names, allowing them to wait for the right opportunity to come up.

Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich will both be looking for new managers at the end of the 2023-24 season. Other appealing vacancies are bound to open up. Here are the best football managers out of work as of February 2024…

Zinedine Zidane

Despite leading Real Madrid to three Champions League wins and two La Liga titles, it’s a stretch to call Zinedine Zidane one of the greatest football managers of all-time.

Zidane has excelled as a man manager of star-studded squads, and exercised tactical pragmatism in the biggest games. 

While the former Ballon d’Or winner has been linked with the Juventus and Manchester United jobs in the past, it remains to be seen if he will take the risk of managing elsewhere. The France job seems made for him. 

Jurgen Klopp

A huge hit during his tenure at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp made the decision to stand down at the end of the 2023/24 season - much to the dismay of Liverpool supporters around the world.

Klopp was a beacon of light for Reds fans, transforming the entire mood at the club as Liverpool challenged for trophies on a yearly basis. He even managed to bring a first Premier League title to the club.

It'll be interesting to see whether Klopp takes a job at another top flight club in England or not - with many believing that he will move back to continental Europe if the right position becomes available.

Xavi

One of the greatest players of his generation, Xavi's transition from midfield to manager has been up and down to say the least.

The Barcelona legend made over 500 appearances at Camp Nou during his playing days but his tenure at the helm on the sidelines ended on a sour note after he was dismissed in May 2024.

David Moyes

One of the Premier League's old guard, David Moyes is now a free agent after West Ham United called time on his tenure at the London Stadium in 2024.

He has plenty of top flight experience and is an obvious target for any club looking for a seasoned professional to take over - especially given his wealth of Premier League knowledge.

Graham Potter

Like others who have failed in their first job at a top club, Graham Potter is in a weird spot in his career.

Similar to Cooper, Potter’s chances of success at Chelsea were undermined by bizarre and disorganised recruitment. The Blues did not give him the time he needed. 

Potter needs a team to invest in the wider project. Brighton were a great fit for him. Could Newcastle be a good landing spot if they choose to move on from Eddie Howe? Or is Potter an ideal successor to Gareth Southgate? 

Joachim Löw

In charge of Germany from 2006 until 2021, Joachim Löw is the longest-serving manager in Die Mannschaft history. Löw led Germany to glory at the 2014 World Cup, and was twice named German Football Man of the Year.

His club management record is hardly spectacular, though. Löw has not managed a club team since 2004.

The game has changed drastically since then, and his most high-profile job was with Stuttgart in the 1990s. At 64 years old, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Löw steers clear of club management.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær

Ole Gunnar Solskjær might not have reignited the glory days at Manchester United, but he did bring much-needed stability. For all his shortcomings, the Norwegian finished with a win rate only bettered by Erik ten Hag, Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho.

Solskjær has been rumoured as a possible successor to Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich.

His failings in the biggest games don’t appear to have deterred FC Hollywood, but it would be a shock to see Bayern go with Solskjær when there are so many other excellent candidates on the market. 

Massimiliano Allegri

Regarded by many as one of football's great tacticians, Allegri was sacked just two days after leading Juventus to Italian Cup success over Atalanta in May 2024.

Reports claim that it was down to his conduct during the match, but fans have pointed to a number of flare-ups between the manager and the club's hierarchy during his second tenure in Turin.

He's achieved everything there is to achieve in Serie A so a move abroad wouldn't be out of the question and online news reports believe he could be recruited by a leading Saudi Arabia team in the coming months.

Mauricio Pochettino

The Argentine was a good footballer but management has definitely been his calling and he did incredible things during his stint at Tottenham Hotspur.

His most recent spell at Chelsea was a mixed bag but the Blues finished the season strongly and many were shocked to see Pochettino leave Stamford Bridge in May 2024.

It'll be interesting to see if a Premier League rival takes a chance on Pochettino this summer. There's bound to be some interest from a certain club in the north west...

---

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

• Female Sky Sports News reporters were especially popular in the 2000s

• Kate Abdo, Charlotte Jackson and Kirsty Gallacher are among the most famous names

• Melissa Reddy left Sky Sports in 2025

---

There are new faces appearing on Sky Sports every year.

The broadcaster has been through something of an overhaul over the last few years, resulting in many more female Sky Sports reporters on our screens.

Check out our BTTS tips on the biggest upcoming fixtures!

Regulars of the sports betting pages will be familiar with the majority of these reporters.

As with Sky Sports’ offering, there is a bias towards football coverage, but several listed here work on other sports, including Formula One and netball. 

Here are the most recognisable female Sky Sports reporters…

Hayley McQueen

Starting out as a runner for Richard and Judy, Hayley McQueen took on a media role for Middlesbrough before being headhunted by Sky Sports News.

A stint with Fox Sports and then with MUTV saw McQueen leave Sky, but she returned as a presenter in 2010 and has been a regular on the channel ever since.

Alongside presenting duties, McQueen is also a regular awards host and has appeared on Premier League TV and BBC Radio Five Live.

She is the lead presenter for Sky’s coverage of Scottish football. 

Vicky Gomersall

A former player for Fulham ladies, Vicky Gomersall joined the Sky Sports presenting team back in 2005.

Gomersall has been a true stalwart on Sky Sports News after starting her career as a reporter in the northwest. 

Whether reading the news or leading a debate ahead of Super Sunday, Gomersall is an excellent presenter.

While others have come and gone from Sky Sports’ news channel, Gomersall has been one of the few constants. 

Emma Paton

Emma Paton initially joined Sky Sports as a journalist in 2012, but became a presenter in 2019.

She is perhaps best known for leading their darts coverage, though she has also featured heavily on the US Open, WWE and transfer deadline day.

With over a decade of experience in the industry, Paton is set to cover even more major events throughout the remainder of this decade. 

Olivia Buzaglo

Having worked with Premier League Productions, Olivia Buzaglo has become a prominent face on Sky Sports News over the last couple of years.

Buzaglo is also a regular on Chelsea TV and has covered various events for DAZN. 

With a over 134,000 Twitter followers, Buzaglo has become one of the biggest voices for Chelsea fans on social media. Her following count will only grow in the years to come. 

Vai Bhardwaj

After making her name as a sports writer, Vai Bhardwaj has become an award-winning broadcaster for Sky Sports, Amazon Prime and Premier League Productions. 

With a background as a reporter, including for the Evening Standard, Bhardwaj will often be seen conducting post-match interviews on Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage and has featured on Sky Sports News.

Alison Bender

From Chelsea TV to TalkSport, ESPN and various others, Alison Bender has been a presenter, interviewer and reporter on many of the world’s biggest networks.

Sky Sports is no exception, and Bender has often led the sports coverage on Sky’s standard news channel. 

Often active on social media, Bender is well worth following on Twitter or X. 

Gail Davis

Previously a reporter on rugby, netball and transfer deadline day, Gail Davis has moved into presenting at Sky Sports News. 

Davis delivered an exclusive interview with Erik ten Hag not long after the Dutchman was hired as Manchester United manager. 

Eleanor Roper

Previously providing coverage for a young audience at the BBC, and appearing on various BBC channels, Eleanor Roper is now a journalist, reporter and presenter at Sky Sports.

Roper has given updates on Sky News and Sky Sports News. Her social media channels reflect a diverse sporting interest from rugby through to boxing and MMA. 

Caroline Barker

Starting off her career with BBC Essex, Caroline Barker has become a prominent voice in sports media.

Barker was the first female presenter at Premier League Productions, and has worked at Sky Sports covering football and netball for several years. 

An advocate for non-league football, Barker is a director for the National League, plus fulfilled the same role at Chelmsford City from 2009 to 2011.

While netball and football have been her primary focus, Barker has also worked on the NFL International Series for BBC Sport. 

Emma Saunders

A live event host, commentator, presenter and stadium reporter, Emma Saunders does it all for Sky Sports and BBC.

Saunders is a regular on Soccer Saturday and Super Sunday for Sky, while hosting the football daily podcast for 5Live and BBC Sounds.

Saunders has been the in-stadium presenter for several massive sporting occasions, including MLB’s first games in London in 2019, FIFA World Cup matches and Six Nations fixtures. 

Natalie Pinkham

Working for Sky Sports’ excellent Formula One coverage since 2012, Natalie Pinkham started out reporting from the pit lane during practice, qualifying and race sessions with occasional interviews.

For the following season, Pinkham took over as presenter of the F1 Show, and became a staple of Sky’s Formula One offering.

In the first practice of the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix, Pinkham became the first woman to commentate on a live Formula One session on British television alongside former drivers Jenson Button and Karun Chandhok. 

Rachel Brookes

First working for Sky Sports on a freelance basis, Rachel Brookes became a permanent member of their team in 2011.

Brookes is primarily a pit-lane reporter, conducting quickfire interviews throughout the race weekend, but she has also hosted several shows and anchored the live coverage of some races over the last few seasons. 

Brookes is often at the front of Sky’s features with high-ranking team officials and drivers, from gimmicks between teammates to in-depth discussions with principals like Toto Wolff and Christian Horner. 

Pien Meulensteen

Pien Meulensteen is a history-maker. She is the first woman to commentate on a live Premier League match on Sky Sports, and landed the ‘One To Watch – On Air’ gong at the Sports Journalism Awards in 2023. 

Starting out at BBC Manchester after graduating from Salford, Meulensteen has gone from strength to strength, working with 5Live, BBC Sport, Premier League Productions, CBS and MUTV. 

We will be seeing a lot more of the Dutch-born presenter and commentator on our screens in the coming years. 

Bianca Westwood

Bianca Westwood is a long-serving regular on Soccer Saturday, who has become known for her back-and-forths with Jeff Stelling.

A West Ham fan and destroyer of social media trolls, Westwood offers tips to aspiring broadcasters and has grown a considerable following with over 120,000 followers on Instagram and 173,000 on Twitter.

In 2023, Westwood spoke out about how she deals with trolls.

"I often get asked about this & it’s not gender specific but 99% of my trolls (as infrequent as they are these days) are men.

"For those who message me to ask for advice in dealing with this issue, I wish I could give them the gift of indifference…because I promise you I do not give one single f**k about what anyone online says about me. They honestly matter less to me every single day."

She has been a commentator on Soccer Saturday since 2008, working her way up from an editorial assistant. 

Katie Shanahan

When keeping up with the latest live betting options, you may well have seen Katie Shanahan on Soccer Saturday. 

Shanahan presents for Sky Sports as well, and has also conducted some high-profile interviews, including a sit down with Sean Dyche soon after he was hired as Everton manager. 

Transitioning from hockey player to broadcaster, Shanahan has presented for FIFA at the Qatar World Cup, and broken huge news, such as the postponing of the Tokyo Olympics and Manchester City’s UEFA ban.

When time allows, Shanahan also presents for Chelsea TV, and has been the one asking the post-match questions at some significant moments. 

Suzanne Winters

Capped 105 times by Scotland, Suzanne Winters followed the well-trodden path from footballer to reporter.

Winters has worked at grounds and in the studio for Sky Sports, providing live commentary of matches.

Her passionate, in-the-moment reactions when covering Scotland matches proved very popular on social media in 2022. 

Melissa Reddy

Initially making her name covering Liverpool, Melissa Reddy made it to Sky Sports via KICK OFF Magazine, Goal, ESPN, The Athletic, JOE and The Independent.

A specialist in the Premier League, Reddy became a senior reporter at Sky Sports in 2022, and regularly appeared on Sky Sports News to analyse the latest happenings in the topflight of English football.

Reddy was among seven high-profile redundancies at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season. Upon her departure, Reddy explained she is planning to write more books, and will still do 'bits and bobs' for Sky Sports. 

---

Famous Sky Sports Female Presenters:

• Georgie Thompson

• Charlotte Jackson

• Millie Clode

• Kate Abdo

• Natalie Sawyer

• Kirsty Gallacher

Past Female Sky Sports Presenters:

• Hayley McQueen

• Jo Wilson

• Rachel Gredley

• Vicky Gomersall

• Bela Shah

• Alex Hammond

---

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*

• There are seven positions on the netball court, with each player taking on various roles and responsibilities during a game

• The Vitality Netball Superleague is the biggest competition in the United Kingdom

• Our beginner’s guide to the positions and rules of netball can help newbies to enhance their understanding of the sport

---

Played by over 20 million people in more than 80 countries around the world, netball is a popular sport in schools – particularly in Commonwealth nations.

Fans can watch netball live on Sky Sports in the UK, with the Vitality Netball Superleague attracting plenty of attention throughout the season.

Positions In Netball

• Goal Keeper

• Goal Defence

• Wing Defence

• Centre

• Wing Attack

• Goal Attack

• Goal Scorer

Those into sports betting may know some of the netball positions but can you name every role on the netball court? If not, you’ve come to the right place…

Watching netball can be confusing but hopefully our beginner’s guide to netball roles can help. If nothing else, you’ll learn just what the letters on each player’s bib means!

Here, we look at the different positions in netball – from goal keeper to goal shooter. Plus, netball rookies can familiarise themselves with the extensive list of netball rules below:

Netball Rules

In addition to the various netball positions and roles, there are several rules that fans should be aware of. Here, you can learn about the netball rules of play:

Netball Objective

The aim of netball is to score more points than the opposing team.

You accumulate points by shooting through one of the nets positioned at either end of the court. For each goal you score, your team earns one point.

How Long Is A Netball Game?

According to netball rules, matches are split into four equal quarters of 15 minutes though amateur netball matches may be shorter.

As is the case in ice hockey and basketball, the teams switch ends after each quarter.

Netball Footwork Rules

A player can hold possession of the ball for up to three seconds, with the ball switching to the opposing team for a free pass if this rule is violated. The technical term for this is a held ball.

In addition, players are also prohibited from throwing the ball from one goal third to the other without the ball being touched in the middle third. If a foul is committed, this results in a free pass for the other team.

As well as the three second rule, players are not allowed to replant their landing foot if they raise it from the ground. This means they can take one step with a free leg and raise their landing foot but must pass the ball or shoot before that foot touches the ground again.

Furthermore, players can pivot with their free foot to create a better passing position. The other team receives a free pass if a player replants their landing foot though – and this is known as footwork.

Shooting

There are only two netball positions that allow shooting – Goal Attack and Goal Shooter.

Shots can only be taken within the shooting circle, which is sometimes referred to as the D or semi-circle.

For a goal to be awarded, the ball must pass through the net. When a goal is scored, play then restarts with a centre pass.

Obstruction

The sport is generally a non-contact sport but there is one situation where contact is allowed – however an opponent cannot be impeded in any way.

When a player is in possession, an opponent must stand at least three feet away. If a player is impeded, obstruction is called and the offender must stand away from play while a penalty pass or shot is taken.

As is the case in basketball, a player can continue to pass or shoot while being obstructed if they believe they will gain an advantage.

If they are successful, the umpire will signal advantage and play continues. If unsuccessful, the umpire will stop play and bring it back for a penalty.

Offside

When a player is in possession of the ball in an area of the court that they are not allowed in, the umpire calls for offside. A free pass is awarded to the opposing team as a result.

While a player may not be allowed to enter a specific area, they are allowed to lean on the ball in that part of the court.

This is deemed legal providing no part of the player’s body touches the ground in the area.

Throw Ins

If the ball goes out of play, a throw in is awarded against the team that touched it prior to leaving the court.

The thrown in is taken from the spot where the ball went out of play. Follow live betting on netball with 888sport throughout the upcoming season.

---

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

• The Champions League trophy is one of the most iconic awards in sport

• Real Madrid are the most successful team in the history of the competition with 15 titles

• Five clubs have earned the right to keep the Champions League trophy permanently

---

Lifting the Champions League trophy is the pinnacle in a footballer’s career.

Being top of Champions League betting odds does not guarantee success in the knockout competition. Many teams and players have chased the famous trophy for years without getting to hold it aloft.

The pinnacle of club action, football betting odds are frequently focused on the Champions League. It’s an opportunity to make history, for players and managers to secure their legacy alongside the greats of the game.

Even if only with a passing interest in online betting, it is impossible to ignore the Champions League. It dominates headlines. The final takes over the media cycle for days before and after.

This is a shot at sporting immortality like few other events on the planet provide. Through this piece, we’ll take a look at the history of the Champions League trophy and everything else you need to know.

Champions League Trophy History

The original Champions League trophy is not a familiar image for many football fans in the 21st century.

Dominated by Real Madrid in the early years, this trophy was a markedly different design from what we now recognise as the Champions League trophy.

A narrow base shaped into a rounded body of the trophy. Where the modern handles are enormous, this had smaller, subtler handles which were placed higher up the main body of the trophy.

That version was replaced when UEFA commissioned a new design in the 1960s, the current UCL trophy was created.

The trophy itself has stayed much the same since then despite several replicas being created with teams being awarded the trophy permanently (more on that later on).

Between 1967 and 1994, the trophy was engraved with "Coupe des Clubs Champions Européens". This changed in the 1990s. Since then, the full title has been in capital letters.

As of 2009, Champions League winners have not kept the original silverware. A full-size replica, snazzily named the Champions League Winners Trophy, is awarded to the winners with their name engraved.

Champions are allowed to make their own replicas, but it cannot be more than 80% of the size of the original.

Champions League Trophy Design

The original Champions League trophy was actually donated by French newspaper L’Equipe. This silverware was permanently given to Real Madrid in the late 1960s, however, prompting UEFA to create a new UCL trophy.

A jeweller from Bern, by the name of Jörg Stadelmann, was commissioned by UEFA to design the next edition of the Champions League trophy.

Costing 10,000 Swiss Francs, Bern developed a silver, 74-centimetre-high trophy which weighed 11 kilograms.

Stadelmann’s design featured the now-famous large, curved handles. Around the world, this has earned the trophy the nickname of ‘big ears’.

What Is The UCL Trophy Made Of?

The Champions League trophy is made of silver. This isn’t exactly unusual, of course, and fits with the majority of major sporting trophies.

Stadelmann committed a long period to working on this trophy. It took a total of 340 hours to make.

The design was aiming to please various different countries, and according to UEFA’s official website, he was working to a particularly tight deadline due to a rather important upcoming event.

Stadelmann said, “My father Hans and I went along to Herr Bangerter's office and covered the whole floor with drawings.

"He made comments like, 'The Bulgarians would like the bottom of that. The Spaniards would like this but the Italians would prefer that and the Germans would go for this.' We put the design together like a jigsaw puzzle.

"It had to be finished before 28 March, because I was getting married and taking my wife on a ten-day boat trip to Los Angeles. I did the finer work, then it was finished off by the engraver, Fred Bänninger. On time, I am glad to say."

Champions League Trophy Dimensions

The Champions League trophy weighs 7.5 kilograms and stands at 73.5 centimetres tall.

Although often thought of as a large trophy compared to its European football counterparts, this comes in as considerably smaller than the NHL’s Stanley Cup and the America’s Cup.

Lifting the UCL trophy is not the same physical exercise as it is to lift the aforementioned pair, but compared to other silverware in football, it’s a domineering presence for the team which comes out on top in the Champions League final bet of the day.

Comparisons between the Champions League and the Super Bowl are inevitable. They are arguably the two biggest nights of sport in the western world.

Unlike the Stanley Cup, the Vince Lombardi trophy is much smaller than the UCL trophy. It weighs less than half of the Champions League.

Players With Most Champions League Trophy Wins

Francisco Gento is the most successful player in Champions League/European Cup history, winning the competition six times. Gento won six titles with Real Madrid between 1956 and 1966.

Captaining Los Blancos to their 1966 triumph, Gento is ahead of 10 players who won the competition five teams.

Seven of those were also on the all-conquering Real Madrid teams of the 1950s, with Gento’s win in 1966 putting him ahead of his former teammates.

The other three are icons of the modern era. Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta won five finals together for Milan. Going back-to-back in 1989 and 1990, they won again in 1994 before a nine-year wait for their fourth title.

The 2007 win was in the twilight of their careers, and saw Maldini break a record for the longest period between first and last Champions League wins.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the other player with five wins – one with Manchester United, four with Real Madrid. Ronaldo is the only player to score in the final for two different winning teams.

Do Clubs Get To Keep The Champions League Trophy?

The short answer is no. Teams no longer get to keep the real trophy, which stays with UEFA at all times. This has been the case since 2009.

Previously, a club could keep the trophy if they were crowned European champions on five occasions or won in three successive seasons.

Obviously, this resulted in several new Champions League trophies being made when teams earned the right to keep it.

Five teams have been awarded the trophy permanently. Real Madrid were the first after their sixth title in the 1960s, followed by Ajax’s threepeat in 1973, and Bayern Munich winning three on the bounce a few years later.

Milan won their fifth title in 1994, earning the trophy permanently. Liverpool repeated the feat 11 years later, beating the Italian giants in a dramatic final. 

---

 

 

Some clubs are content living off their past. Others reminisce about a once-in-a-lifetime evening of glory, turning each player present into folk-heroes.

A select few though define themselves by success. A season finishing runner-up in their league is a disaster for them. They want more trophies. More garlands. Year after year. Generation after generation.

Naturally enough, the established superpowers of world football feature strongly below but there are those too who are utterly dominant amongst inferior opposition.

All have one thing in common in that they are the most successful football clubs on the planet. 

Most Successful Football Clubs In World:

20) FCSB – 59 

It was a High Commander of the Romanian Royal Army who signed off on the club formerly known as Steaua București first coming into existence. Moreover, their old ground used to be owned by the Ministry of National Defence. 

Steaua, back in the day, were the very definition of an establishment club. 

Yet, for all that they had Romanian football in a stranglehold for several decades, they also lifted the European Cup in 1986, additionally reaching the final again three years later. Their brilliance travelled.

In March a 27th league title was secured, their first for nine years. 

19) Galatasaray – 62

The Lions don’t have the jungle all to themselves in Turkey, with Fenerbahce and Besiktas big cats in their own right.

This esteemed trio have historically divvied up the silverware and wrestled supremacy away from each other. 

Which makes Gala’s record 25 Super Lig titles all the more impressive while in recent years a string of successes in the Turkish Cup has helped bump up their overall trophy haul. To this day, they are the only Turkish club to win a major UEFA competition. 

18) Boca Juniors – 62 

Crowned national champions on 35 occasions, Boca have also lifted the Copa Libertadores on six occasions, the most recent of which was their 2007 triumph led by the irrepressible Juan Roman Riquelme. 

Boasting a historical edge over their bitter rivals River Plate – a rivalry that can get a little tasty at times – Boca are the most successful club in Argentina. 

17) Anderlecht – 64 

Champions of Belgium on 34 occasions, Anderlecht are by some distance the nation’s most celebrated team.

They have translated their domestic glories into continental honours, too, with a pair of Cup Winners’ Cups and the UEFA Cup in 1983. Only Club Brugge can better their total of nine Belgian Cup wins. The last few years have been relatively quiet relative to the club's decorated history.

16) Manchester United – 70 

Despite a decade-plus in the doldrums since Alex Ferguson hung up his hairdryer, Manchester United’s 20 league titles remains an English football record.

Their impressive FA Cup tally of 13 meanwhile stretches right back to 1909. Their latest cup success was in May, bettering their arch-neighbours City. 

The Red Devils have all-too-infrequently added to their trophy count since Ferguson’s retirement but the next manager to get things right at Old Trafford has history and stature on their side. 

15) Liverpool – 71

The Jurgen Klopp era saw Liverpool add to an already bulky trophy collection, not least with another continental honour.

Only Real Madrid and Milan have won the European Cup/Champions League more.

A recent League Cup triumph had them briefly edge ahead of their arch-rivals United but we can expect the football odds to lengthen on the Reds securing a second Premier League title now that their highly influential German coach has bid auf weidersehen. 

14) Juventus – 72 

Already Italy’s most decorated club, Juventus embarked on a remarkable spell of dominance across the 2010s that extended their lead over the two Milan clubs. 

Feared and respected in equal moderation, the Old Lady is not to be trifled with when she has the scent of a Scudetto in her nostrils. 

Record holders for title wins and Coppa Italia triumphs, a lack of European silverware in recent years has become their Achilles Heel. 

13) Ajax – 75 

Not only are Ajax the Netherlands’ most dominant force, they’re a footballing institution, responsible for making the beautiful game that bit more picturesque. Few clubs have influenced the sport worldwide like de Godenzonen.

The 36 league titles and four European Cups speak for themselves but Ajax is far more than a trophy-winning machine.

From the players that have developed at the club through to the tactical innovations of Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff they helped change everything. 

12) Olympiacos – 82 

Olympiacos have relentlessly accumulated hardware throughout their history, and particularly so since the turn of the century.

Recent glory in the Europa Conference League was the first ever European honour for a Greek side, a famous night that amply atoned for finishing third in the league.

Such is their fearsome dominance of the Super League two seasons of falling short feels like a drought. 

11) Bayern Munich – 82 

Bayern Munich were already Germany’s big, bad wolf, but 10 straight Bundesliga titles and two Champions League wins in the last decade have seen them reach new heights. 

Trebles in 2013 and 2020 have represented a period of unprecedented supremacy for FC Hollywood. 

A trophy-less season this time out will no doubt see them return hungrier and scarier than ever before. 

10) Al-Faisaly SC – 83 

Winners of 18 more Jordanian league titles than any other club, Al-Faisaly SC have an absurd total of 81 domestic honours, including 21 FA Cup wins. 

The Blue Eagles are two-time AFC Cup winners, going back-to-back in the mid-noughties. 

The recent emergence of Al-Hussein Irbid has rendered them second best for the time being. They won’t take kindly to that. 

9) Porto – 84 

Defying the betting and all sensible logic, Porto famously lifted the Champions League in 2004, propelled to unlikely glory by a young and hungry Jose Mourinho. 

Let’s not forget though that in 1987, the Dragons equalled that feat, scoring two late goals to stun Bayern. There is also a brace of UEFA Cups up for consideration too. 

If all this proves Porto have genuine international presence it’s at home however where their trophy haul gets stratospheric. Thirty Primeira Liga crowns equates to a title for every four years of their existence. 

8) Benfica – 85

The Eagles have long soared over Portuguese football, a name synonymous with the great Eusebio and, in modern times, a clever recruitment policy that finds gems, polishes them up, and sells them on for huge profit.

Even back-to-back European Cup successes in the early Sixties pale to their domestic feats, with 38 Primeira Liga titles a testament to their lofty status. 

7) Barcelona – 100 

It has been nip and tuck between Barcelona and Real Madrid over the last few years. Barca dropped off the pace due to financial issues, but returned to top spot in La Liga in 2022-23.

The club's impact worldwide cannot be overstated. They changed football infinitely for the better by giving a stage to Cruyff, Maradona and of course the GOAT himself. 

6) Real Madrid – 109

Since the start of 2021-22, Los Blancos have won a pair of La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, and the Copa del Rey.

That glorious spell has seen them regain an overall advantage over Barcelona. Their total of 15 European Cups and Champions Leagues is a record no team comes within touching distance of. 

5) Penarol – 112 

Never relegated from Uruguay’s Primera Division in 132 years, the Decano are a mainstay of South American football, boasting five Copa Libertadores and three Intercontinental Cups. 

Winning their league title a staggering 53 times, Penarol are the only club to have players represent Uruguay across every one of their World Cup appearances. 

4) Rangers - 117

Rangers missed an opportunity to add to their haul in the 2022 Europa League final, but that doesn’t prevent them being the joint second-most successful football team in the world. 

Champions of Scotland on 55 occasions and 34-time winners of the Scottish Cup, much of Rangers’ advantage can be attributed to their record 28 League Cups, winning their most recent in 2023/24. 

=2) Celtic – 118

Seven domestic trebles and 13 league and cup doubles tells a persuasive tale of long-standing superiority.

A feted European Cup triumph in 1967 meanwhile not only greatly increased their standing on the world stage but was especially notable for one astonishing fact. Every one of the Celtic players on the pitch in Lisbon were born within 30 miles of Glasgow. 

In 2019, the club raised a bat for half a century of league titles. They have gone on to win another four since. 

=2) Nacional - 118

Even after winning the Uruguayan league title in 2022, Nacional’s total of 49 remains four short of rivals Penarol. 

Where the Tricolores do have the advantage is in international competition, collecting more silverware on the global stage than Penarol, their arch-rivals for a century and more.

They are only Uruguayan team to have won the Copa Interamericana twice.

1) Al Ahly – 125

Granted, a lack of elite competition domestically lies at the core of Al Ahly’s sustained dominance of Egyptian football. That though takes nothing away from the imperious manner in which that dominance has been achieved.

They have won three times as many league titles as any of their peers. They have the most Egypt Cups, the most CAF Champions Leagues, the most African Cup Winners’ Cups and the most CAF Super Cups. 

Unsurprisingly, they were named the CAF Club of the 20th Century and furthermore they’re showing no signs of slowing down. This past season has harvested another trio of major honours.

---

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*