Manchester United and Newcastle United’s unexpected exits from the Champions League have set an unwanted record for the English Premier League.
Both the English top-flight clubs suffered an embarrassing Champions League campaign as they finished at the bottom of their respective groups.
Newcastle's intentions were scrambled by AC Milan, losing 2-1 despite being in a strong position during their action against the Italian side.
Man United, on the other hand, underwent a horrible setback against Bayern Munich, resulting in their eviction with just four points from six matches.
Therefore, the Premier League's ambitions of securing an extra spot in the next season's Champions League took a massive blow on Wednesday after Newcastle followed Manchester United in being dumped out of the competition's group stage.
However, the two teams' early elimination from the Champions League on Tuesday night, December 12, could cost them a spot in next year's competition following a rule change.
What happened?
From next season, the European competition layout is changing to a Swiss League system, therefore, football lovers will say goodbye to the traditional group stage that they are familiar with over the years.
From the 2024/25 season, 36 teams will qualify for the Champions League group stage, four more than the previous 32 teams fans were used to.
In preparation for this, UEFA will award two of the extra four places to the countries that have collectively performed best in Europe during the previous season.
This means that an extra spot will be given to the two leagues that finish highest in the coefficient tables, which are based on the performance of teams in European competitions. Something that Man United might have affected with their disastrous form.
Had Man United and Newcastle United performed better in the Champions League, the Premier League would be in a stronger position to gain a fifth Champions League spot.
This means that England might miss out on that extra spot as a result of the club's poor performance.
England Falling Behind In The Coefficient Table
Points are awarded for the teams' performances in the group stages and knockout stages of UEFA's European competitions.
So, Manchester City and Arsenal topping their groups and progressing deep into the competition would go in favour of the Premier League.
At the time of writing, England are now third in the table behind Germany and Italy with Spain just behind.
Coefficient Table
1. Germany – 13.36
2. Italy – 13.14
3. England – 12.13
4. Spain – 12.06
5. France – 10.42
6. Belgium – 10.20
7. Czechia – 9.25
8. Turkey – 9.00
9. Denmark – 8.50
10. Netherlands – 8.20
Arsenal and Man City have already secured their advancement to the top spot, while Man United and Newcastle are out of the competition, leaving English clubs with hard work to do to secure that extra place.
On the other hand, Liverpool, West Ham, and Brighton have all qualified for the Europa League knockout stage, and Aston Villa secured a place in the next round of the Conference League, meaning many English club sides have a chance of going further in those competitions.
The likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham, and ironically Manchester United and Newcastle will all be hoping the English teams left in the European competitions can get to the finals and probably win them to earn England an extra spot in the Champions League next season.
Both the English top-flight clubs suffered an embarrassing Champions League campaign as they finished at the bottom of their respective groups.
Newcastle's intentions were scrambled by AC Milan, losing 2-1 despite being in a strong position during their action against the Italian side.
Man United, on the other hand, underwent a horrible setback against Bayern Munich, resulting in their eviction with just four points from six matches.
Therefore, the Premier League's ambitions of securing an extra spot in the next season's Champions League took a massive blow on Wednesday after Newcastle followed Manchester United in being dumped out of the competition's group stage.
However, the two teams' early elimination from the Champions League on Tuesday night, December 12, could cost them a spot in next year's competition following a rule change.
What happened?
From next season, the European competition layout is changing to a Swiss League system, therefore, football lovers will say goodbye to the traditional group stage that they are familiar with over the years.
From the 2024/25 season, 36 teams will qualify for the Champions League group stage, four more than the previous 32 teams fans were used to.
In preparation for this, UEFA will award two of the extra four places to the countries that have collectively performed best in Europe during the previous season.
This means that an extra spot will be given to the two leagues that finish highest in the coefficient tables, which are based on the performance of teams in European competitions. Something that Man United might have affected with their disastrous form.
Had Man United and Newcastle United performed better in the Champions League, the Premier League would be in a stronger position to gain a fifth Champions League spot.
This means that England might miss out on that extra spot as a result of the club's poor performance.
England Falling Behind In The Coefficient Table
Points are awarded for the teams' performances in the group stages and knockout stages of UEFA's European competitions.
So, Manchester City and Arsenal topping their groups and progressing deep into the competition would go in favour of the Premier League.
At the time of writing, England are now third in the table behind Germany and Italy with Spain just behind.
Coefficient Table
1. Germany – 13.36
2. Italy – 13.14
3. England – 12.13
4. Spain – 12.06
5. France – 10.42
6. Belgium – 10.20
7. Czechia – 9.25
8. Turkey – 9.00
9. Denmark – 8.50
10. Netherlands – 8.20
Arsenal and Man City have already secured their advancement to the top spot, while Man United and Newcastle are out of the competition, leaving English clubs with hard work to do to secure that extra place.
On the other hand, Liverpool, West Ham, and Brighton have all qualified for the Europa League knockout stage, and Aston Villa secured a place in the next round of the Conference League, meaning many English club sides have a chance of going further in those competitions.
The likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham, and ironically Manchester United and Newcastle will all be hoping the English teams left in the European competitions can get to the finals and probably win them to earn England an extra spot in the Champions League next season.