SherifThe definition of “success” in football is a perennial debate for fans in pubs and on forums across England. Is it purely about trophies? Is it about sustained dominance or magical, fleeting moments? Does financial power and global influence count? As we look at the landscape in 2025, the game continues to evolve, but the hunger for silverware remains the ultimate currency.
This list attempts to settle the debate by considering a holistic view of success. We’ve weighted major trophy wins (Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup/Champions League, Europa League/UEFA Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup) most heavily. However, we also factor in consistency, historical legacy, financial power, and a club’s overall presence in the national and global consciousness. This isn’t just about who won the last cup; it’s about who has built an empire.
The Pinnacle of English Football: Ranking the Top 10 Most Successful Clubs in 2025
1. Manchester United
Trophy Haul: 20 Top-Flight Titles, 12 FA Cups, 6 League Cups, 3 Champions Leagues
The Verdict: The Red Devils remain the standard-bearer for English football success, despite their well-documented struggles in the post-Ferguson era. The sheer weight of their history is unmatched. Their 20 league titles—a record they still cling to despite Manchester City’s relentless pursuit—is the foundational block of their claim. Coupled with three European Cups, including the unforgettable 1999 treble, their legacy is etched in stone.
The commercial behemoth they became under Sir Alex Ferguson ensures they remain a financial powerhouse, able to spend vast sums even during fallow periods. While the wait for a Premier League title continues, their dramatic 2024 FA Cup victory under a new project signals a potential resurgence. For now, history, global fanbase, and commercial dominance keep them at the summit.
2. Liverpool
Trophy Haul: 19 Top-Flight Titles, 8 FA Cups, 10 League Cups, 6 Champions Leagues
The Verdict: Liverpool are breathing down United’s neck. In many ways, their claim as the most successful club is stronger when considering European prowess. Their six European Cups are an English record, a symbol of their historic dominance on the continent. The Jurgen Klopp era, which concluded in 2024, re-established them as a domestic and European powerhouse, delivering their first Premier League title in 30 years and a sixth Champions League.
They have consistently challenged for every honour, playing a thrilling brand of football that has captivated a new generation. Their passionate, global fanbase and iconic Anfield atmosphere are intangible assets that few can rival. They are the kings of cup competitions and stand as United’s closest rival for the crown.
3. Arsenal
Trophy Haul: 13 Top-Flight Titles, 14 FA Cups
The Verdict: The Gunners occupy a unique space. They may not have the European pedigree of the two Manchester clubs or Liverpool (their 2006 Champions League final loss remains a sore point), but their domestic cup record is phenomenal. Their 14 FA Cups are a record, showcasing a unique knack for the world’s oldest cup competition. The Invincibles season of 2003-04 remains one of the single greatest achievements in English football history—a feat yet to be matched.
After a long period in the wilderness, Mikel Arteta’s project has borne fruit, culminating in a thrilling Premier League title win in 2024. This recent success, combined with their storied history and a state-of-the-art stadium, solidifies their place in the top three. They are a club very much on the upswing.
4. Chelsea
Trophy Haul: 6 Top-Flight Titles, 8 FA Cups, 5 League Cups, 2 Champions Leagues
The Verdict: The modern-era disruptors. Chelsea’s status is almost entirely built in the 21st century, propelled by the transformative investment of Roman Abramovich. Their two Champions League triumphs (2012 and 2021) are the ultimate validation of their project. They have been relentless cup winners, with five Premier League titles and multiple FA Cups.
While the new ownership consortium is navigating a period of transition and massive squad investment, the winning mentality is ingrained. Their success is more recent and concentrated than the clubs above them, which slightly limits their historical standing, but their two European crowns give them a crucial edge over rivals with more league titles.
5. Manchester City
Trophy Haul: 9 Top-Flight Titles, 7 FA Cups, 8 League Cups, 1 Champions League
The Verdict: By any modern metric, City are the dominant force. Since the 2008 takeover, they have been the team to beat, playing a revolutionary brand of football under Pep Guardiola. Their historic treble in 2023—winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and finally securing their first Champions League—cemented their place among the elite.
They have broken countless records for points, goals, and consecutive wins. However, their relative lack of history before the investment sees them ranked here. Their trophy cabinet, while rapidly filling, still lacks the depth of those above them. But their trajectory is undeniable. If this dominance continues for another decade, they will inevitably climb this list.
6. Tottenham Hotspur
Trophy Haul: 2 Top-Flight Titles, 8 FA Cups, 4 League Cups
The Verdict: This is where the debate intensifies. Spurs’ trophy haul is significantly lighter than those above them. They are the quintessential “nearly” team of the modern era, often playing attractive football but falling at the final hurdle. So why are they here? Their consistency, global brand, and infrastructure are phenomenal. They have been a permanent fixture in the top half of the Premier League for over a decade, regularly qualifying for Europe.
Their world-class stadium is a revenue-generating machine and the envy of many. While their last major trophy was the 2008 League Cup, their overall presence in the game—the weight of the club—is simply too large to ignore. They are a giant, but one awaiting its next crowning moment.
7. Aston Villa
Trophy Haul: 7 Top-Flight Titles, 7 FA Cups, 5 League Cups, 1 European Cup
The Verdict: Villa are a club of immense historical significance. They were a founding member of the Football League and are one of only five English clubs to have won the European Cup, achieving the feat in 1982.
Their seven league titles place them firmly among the game’s aristocrats. After years of yo-yoing between divisions, their project under Unai Emery has been a revelation, catapulting them back into the Champions League conversation and establishing them as a force once again. Their history is undeniable, and their current trajectory suggests they are reclaiming their rightful place among the elite.
8. Newcastle United
Trophy Haul: 4 Top-Flight Titles, 6 FA Cups
The Verdict: The Magpies are the great “what if” of English football—a sleeping giant with a fanbase of unmatched passion. Their history, while not overflowing with trophies, includes iconic figures like Jackie Milburn and Kevin Keegan’s famous “Entertainers” of the 1990s. The game-changing takeover in 2021 has launched them into a new stratosphere.
Almost overnight, they transformed from a Championship team to Champions League qualifiers, backed by the vast resources of the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Their potential is now limitless. They are ranked here not for their historical trophy count, but for their immense size, newfound financial power, and the clear trajectory that points towards future success that will surely see them climb this list.
9. Everton
Trophy Haul: 9 Top-Flight Titles, 5 FA Cups
The Verdict: The Toffees are a classic example of a club whose historical stature outweighs its recent fortunes. Their nine league titles place them fourth on the all-time list, a truly remarkable fact given their struggles over the past three decades. They are a founding member of the Football League and have spent more seasons in the top flight than any other club.
The recent, nerve-shredding battles against relegation have tarnished their image, but they remain one of England’s grand old clubs. Their move to the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium symbolizes a hope for a brighter future and a return to their historical norms.
10. Nottingham Forest
Trophy Haul: 1 Top-Flight Title, 2 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 2 European Cups
The Verdict: How do you rank a club with two European Cups but only one league title? Forest’s story under Brian Clough is the stuff of legend—an impossible, magical rise from the second division to the summit of Europe in consecutive seasons. Those two European Cups are a trump card that very few clubs in the world can play.
While they have spent much of the Premier League era outside the top flight, their return and consolidation under Steve Cooper (and beyond) has brought their incredible history back into the spotlight. Their success, though incredibly concentrated, was so spectacular that it guarantees them a place among the most successful clubs in the nation’s history.
Honourable Mentions: West Ham United (3 FA Cups, 1 Europa Conference League), Leicester City (1 Premier League, 1 FA Cup) whose fairy-tale title win ensures they are never forgotten, and Blackburn Rovers (3 Top-Flight Titles) all have strong claims but just miss out on the top ten based on the holistic criteria of sustained success and overall club size.
The beauty of this list is that it is always in flux. The relentless pace of football means that a few seasons of success can rewrite the hierarchy. Check back in 2030, and it may look very different indeed.