With outstanding achievements and immense influence, the greatest English clubs symbolize resilience and fervent passion for football. Their remarkable journey of success evokes profound emotions in millions of fans. Not only do these clubs dominate domestic football, but they also make their mark on the European stage. Join Wintips as we delve into the top 10 most successful English clubs in history.
Top 10 most successful English clubs all of time
1. Liverpool (46 major and minor titles)
The Reds have held the record for the most major trophies won by an English club in football history, maintaining a lead of three trophies over their arch-rivals. Their Carabao Cup final victory against Chelsea in February 2024 further strengthened their position at the top.
Jurgen Klopp's tenure as manager has been instrumental in Liverpool's rise to dominance, with triumphs in the Premier League, Champions League, and both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup under his guidance at Anfield.
Liverpool's dominance extended across both English and European football, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. While their trophy count declined during the Premier League era, a memorable treble in 2001—consisting of the FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup—underscored their enduring legacy among England’s elite.
2. Manchester United (43 major and minor titles) - One of the most successful English clubs
Manchester United supporters hold a deep appreciation for the immense success that Sir Alex Ferguson brought to the club during his tenure. The former Aberdeen manager's dominance in the Premier League with the Red Devils saw the club claim all 13 of their Premier League titles under his stewardship.
While Manchester United were already a formidable club before Ferguson's arrival, having secured the English top-flight title seven times before the inception of the Premier League in 1992, Sir Alex Ferguson's leadership elevated the club to unprecedented heights.
Despite their rich domestic success, United have experienced fewer major European titles compared to Liverpool, with three Champions League titles and a Europa League trophy, which was secured under Jose Mourinho's management in 2017.
3. Arsenal (30 major and minor titles) - Among the most successful English clubs
It has been twenty years since Arsenal last won the Premier League title. This triumph stands out as one of the most remarkable achievements in the league's history, as Arsene Wenger's star-studded squad, featuring iconic names like Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, and Robert Pires, clinched the league title while going unbeaten.
The Invincibles, as they were famously known, remain the most recent Arsenal side to secure the Premier League title. However, the Gunners have continued adding to their trophy cabinet with multiple FA Cup victories since then. Over the past decade, Arsenal have lifted the FA Cup on five occasions, with the most recent triumph marking Mikel Arteta's first silverware as manager.
4. Manchester City (26 major and minor titles)
Manchester City made history in June 2023 by clinching their first Champions League title after defeating Inter Milan in Istanbul. Rodri's solitary goal secured a 1-0 victory for Pep Guardiola's squad, capping off a remarkable season in which they also secured the Premier League and FA Cup, completing an unprecedented treble.
With this triumph, Manchester City has surpassed Chelsea to become the fourth-most successful English club in terms of major trophies. They now trail Arsenal by just four major trophies, although catching up with Manchester United and Liverpool, who have dominated English football for decades, remains a formidable task for the club. With seven Premier League titles to their name, Manchester City's reign at the top looks set to continue.
5. Chelsea (25 major and minor titles) - One of the most successful English clubs
Before Roman Abramovich's takeover in July 2003, Chelsea enjoyed modest success, including a First Division title and several domestic cup victories. However, Jose Mourinho's appointment in 2004 marked a significant turning point in the club's fortunes. Mourinho, the Portuguese manager, was the first to benefit from a substantial transfer budget at Stamford Bridge—a trend that has continued to this day.
He enjoyed immediate success, securing back-to-back Premier League titles in his first two seasons in charge. Since then, Chelsea have added two more league titles to their tally, along with two Champions League triumphs and numerous cup victories. Mourinho's tenure laid the foundation for Chelsea's transformation into one of Europe's elite clubs.
6. Aston Villa (20 major and minor titles) - One of the most successful English clubs
Aston Villa currently hold the sixth position, comfortably ahead of Tottenham and Everton. While many of their 20 major accolades were not achieved recently, there is optimism that Unai Emery could restore success to Villa Park soon.
It may surprise some modern fans to learn that Aston Villa claimed the European Cup in 1982. This achievement places them on the same level as Manchester City in terms of continental success and puts them one trophy ahead of Arsenal in European competitions. With a rich history, Aston Villa has won seven First Division trophies, with their last league title coming in 1981.
7. Tottenham (17 major and minor titles)
Tottenham has often been the target of jokes from rival fans due to their lack of recent success. The last major trophy won by Tottenham came in 2008, when Jonathan Woodgate scored the winning goal in the League Cup final against city rivals Chelsea.
While this drought may be frustrating for fans who have endured it with the players and managers over more than 15 years, it also underscores the club's historical success, as Spurs comfortably still hold a position in the top 10. The majority of Tottenham's 17 trophies come from their eight FA Cup titles.
8. Everton (15 major and minor titles) - One of the most successful English clubs
Speaking of trophy droughts, Everton haven't secured any major silverware since 1995. The Merseyside club clinched the FA Cup after the 1994/95 campaign but haven't come close to adding to their tally of 15 trophies many times since then.
Their defeat in the final of the same competition against Chelsea in 2009 marked the closest Everton has come to winning the tournament, and even that was over a decade ago. Nevertheless, Everton has boasted significant success in the early decades of the 20th century and again in the 1980s. The club boasts nine First Division titles and five FA Cups. While they didn't secure a European Cup during their peak, they did manage to achieve success in other international competitions.
9. Blackburn Rovers (10 major and minor titles) - Among the most successful English clubs
Blackburn Rovers fans have endured the challenge of life in the second tier of English football for over a decade now, yet the club remains one of the most illustrious in the country when it comes to major honors. Rovers made history as the first team outside Manchester United to clinch the Premier League trophy when they won the title in the 1994/95 season.
It was a moment of immense joy for the club, with Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton leading the charge with their prolific goal-scoring abilities. However, this triumph also marked the beginning of a decline for Blackburn. Since that memorable victory nearly 30 years ago, they have struggled to replicate such success. The other nine major accolades in the club's history came during the 19th century and the early 20th century.
10. Newcastle United (10 major and minor titles)
Newcastle United also secured a spot in the top 10. Given the financial backing of their owners, it won’t be surprising if the Magpies enhance their trophy collection in the coming years. Eddie Howe's squad was on the verge of securing the EFL Cup, which would have propelled them ahead of Blackburn Rovers, but their hopes were shattered by a defeat in the final against Manchester United.
Similar to several other clubs on this list, Newcastle fans have endured a prolonged drought for major honors in recent decades. The club's last significant trophy was the FA Cup in 1955, which remains their most recent major success. As more than half a century has passed since then, everyone connected to Newcastle United is eager to lift more silverware in the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
Here are the top 10 most successful English clubs of all time. These clubs have played a major role in shaping football, not only in England but also on a global scale. With their incomparable achievements and the unforgettable emotions they inspire, they have become icons of passion and enduring legacy. For more related information, feel free to visit the top 100 bookmaker websites daily. Thank you, and see you again.
See also: Top 10 manager with most trophies in football ever
