On a memorable night in Poland this past May, Chelsea achieved something no other European club had ever done. They became the first side to win all four major UEFA competitions that have existed since the 1950s.
The Blues’ 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final completed a remarkable set that had taken them 54 years to achieve. It was a feat that had eluded some of Europe’s biggest names, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich.
The Four Trophies That Matter
UEFA recognises four major club competitions in its history books. The European Cup (now the Champions League) started in the 1955-56 season and remains the crown jewel. The UEFA Cup (now Europa League) began in 1971-72 as a second-tier competition. The Cup Winners’ Cup ran from 1960-61 to 1998-99 before being scrapped. The newest addition, the Conference League, was launched in 2021-22.
Chelsea’s journey began back in 1971 when Dave Sexton’s side beat Real Madrid (1.25) in the Cup Winners’ Cup final after a replay. That victory at the second attempt gave them their first taste of European glory.
The wait for their next major UEFA trophy lasted 41 years. Roberto Di Matteo’s team stunned Bayern Munich on penalties in the 2012 Champions League final in what remains one of the competition’s greatest upsets. Just 12 months later, Rafa Benitez guided them to Europa League glory against Benfica.
The final piece of the puzzle came under Enzo Maresca in his first season as manager. The Conference League might be UEFA’s third-tier competition, but it completed a unique achievement.
Who Could Join Them?
Currently, four clubs have won three of the four major UEFA competitions. Juventus (1.22) were the first to reach this milestone back in 1985. Ajax (1992), Bayern Munich (1996), and Manchester United (1.15) (2017) followed suit.
Of these four, only Ajax have actually played in the Conference League, losing to Aston Villa in the round of 16 during the 2023-24 season. The other three would need to qualify for the competition first.
Six clubs have won two of the four trophies, but can never complete the set. Real Madrid, Porto, Feyenoord, PSV, Liverpool, and Inter all failed to win the Cup Winners’ Cup when it existed. Since that competition no longer runs, they’re permanently locked out of the Grand Slam.
The Numbers Game
The statistics highlight just how difficult this achievement is. Of the 61 clubs from 18 different countries that have won major UEFA silverware, only Chelsea (21.10) has managed the full set.
Real Madrid lead the way with 15 European Cup/Champions League victories – more than any club has won in a single UEFA competition. Yet even they couldn’t complete the collection, losing twice in Cup Winners’ Cup finals, including that 1971 defeat to Chelsea.
Barcelona and AC Milan have both won the Champions League multiple times but never claimed the UEFA Cup/Europa League. Their best efforts saw them reach the semi-finals on several occasions.
The Long Wait
Some clubs have endured remarkable gaps between European successes. West Ham United hold the record – they waited 58 years between winning the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965 and claiming the Conference League in 2023 under David Moyes.
That 2023 triumph came in a season where West Ham finished 14th in the Premier League. Before this campaign’s Tottenham success (17th place, Europa League winners), it was the lowest domestic finish for a major UEFA trophy winner.
Still in the Hunt
Thirty-two clubs remain mathematically capable of completing the set. These are the sides that won the Cup Winners’ Cup during its 39-year existence.
Arsenal, Rangers, PSG, and Aberdeen are among the 16 clubs whose only major UEFA silverware came in the now-defunct competition. They have three chances remaining – Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
Barcelona, Milan, Hamburg, Manchester City (1.07), and Borussia Dortmund (1.50) have won both the Champions League and Cup Winners’ Cup. They need the Europa League and Conference League to join Chelsea.
Looking Forward
The Conference League’s introduction in 2021 gave clubs a new route to European glory. Roma won the inaugural edition under Jose Mourinho, whilst Olympiacos claimed the 2024 tournament on home soil in Athens.
For Chelsea, this achievement caps a remarkable European journey that began over half a century ago. They’ve shown that persistence pays off, even if it takes 54 years to complete the collection.
Whether any other club will match their feat remains to be seen. With the Cup Winners’ Cup consigned to history, the window is closing. Only those 32 clubs that lifted that particular trophy whilst it existed can still achieve what Chelsea have done.
The Blues have set the bar. Now it’s up to Europe’s other giants to try and reach it.
