The Race for 4th - The Financial Implications

As the race to qualify for next season's Champions League heads into its final straight, there is much debate as to what failure to do so would mean for any club who finishes outside of the top four. While people will often cite that failure to dine from Europe's top table hampers sides ability to recruit the true best players, there is also an argument that playing in the sister competition the Europa League means fixture congestion and therefore a bigger domestic struggle, as those matches are played on Thursdays. To show this point, Manchester United do not having a single normal time Saturday kick-off between now and the end of the season, and they only reached the last 16 before being knocked out. However, it is perhaps the financial side which delivers the biggest blow of not making at least the group stages. You may say that with the money that most of the sides now have this isn't a major issue, but with new rules and regulations coming into place, it definitely isn't ideal.

Odds on a 4th placed finish are as follows -

Arsenal : 1.18

Tottenham : 1.41

Chelsea : 2.8

Liverpool : 30

Newcastle : 30

Last season's beaten finalists, Manchester United, earned over 50 million pounds for that run to the final hurdle. Comparatively, reaching the Europa League final would provide a bonus of just over 3 million, and in total finalists would be earning under double figures. Even a run to the last 16 would guarantee more than than, and in terms of out-right prize money merely making the group stages of the Champions League automatically earns a club more financial reward than winning the Europa League does. (3.9 million for group stage sides, compared to just 3 million for the Europa League winners). It is clear that there are such massive margins when the two competitions are discussed, and this makes it clear that sides really must strive to qualify. It is most important for those who are normally in the Champions League to retain their status, as such a huge difference to the bank balance will negate serious financial upheaval, which cannot be underestimated. It's just a fascinating back-drop to the race for 4th, which still could go either way.

HA