Are Dutch Clubs Competitive Enough in Europe? | Football Insight

Explore the performance of Dutch clubs in European football and whether Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV, and AZ can challenge Europe’s elite.

Dutch Clubs in Europe: Are They Competitive Enough to Win Big?

The Eredivisie has long been a fertile breeding ground for football talent. From the golden era of Ajax in the 1970s to PSV Eindhoven’s European Cup win in 1988, Dutch football has a rich legacy on the continental stage. But in today’s landscape, as European Dis88 becomes increasingly dominated by financially supercharged clubs from the Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga, a key question lingers: Are Dutch clubs still competitive enough in Europe?

In this article, we dive deep into the current state of Dutch clubs in European competitions, their tactical identity, financial position, recent results, and the path forward to become true contenders once again.

The Historical Benchmark: A Legacy of Excellence

Dutch football is no stranger to success on the European stage.

Ajax has won the European Cup/Champions League four times (1971, 1972, 1973, and 1995).
PSV Eindhoven lifted the European Cup in 1988.
Feyenoord was the first Dutch club to win the trophy in 1970.

These triumphs were driven by homegrown talent, tactical innovation (especially Total Football), and club cohesion. However, the football landscape has drastically shifted over the past three decades.

Recent European Performances (2018–2024)

Ajax’s Resurgence and Decline

Ajax’s thrilling 2018–19 Champions League run to the semi-finals reignited belief in Dutch clubs. Powered by a young, fearless squad including Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, and Donny van de Beek, Ajax outclassed Real Madrid and Juventus before narrowly falling to Tottenham.

However, subsequent seasons saw a decline:

2021/22: Eliminated in the Round of 16 by Benfica.
2022/23: Dropped to the Europa League after the group stage.
2023/24: Failed to qualify for the Champions League group stages.

Despite smart recruitment and continued player development, Ajax has struggled to retain top talent and maintain consistency, especially with frequent managerial changes.

PSV Eindhoven: Solid but Not Spectacular

PSV has had mixed results:

Often strong in Europa League and Conference League group stages.
Struggled to advance beyond the Round of 16.

PSV’s strategy centers on producing stars (e.g., Xavi Simons, Cody Gakpo) and selling at peak value. While this is financially sustainable, it limits continuity and elite competitiveness.

Feyenoord: The Tactical Resurgence

Under Arne Slot, Feyenoord made notable strides:

Reached the 2022 UEFA Conference League final, losing narrowly to AS Roma.
Won the Eredivisie in 2022/23, earning Champions League qualification.

Feyenoord’s pressing system and tactical discipline have closed the gap with Europe’s mid-tier clubs, but squad depth remains a limitation at the highest level.

AZ Alkmaar: Smart and Efficient

AZ has become a model of effective scouting and youth integration, often outperforming expectations in the Europa and Conference League. However, with limited financial clout, deep runs in top-tier European competitions remain elusive.

Financial Limitations: A Structural Disadvantage

The economic disparity between Dutch clubs and their European rivals continues to grow. Consider the following:

Premier League mid-table teams have higher annual revenue than Eredivisie champions.
Dutch TV rights deals are a fraction of La Liga or Serie A.
Player sales fund survival, not squad reinforcement.

This financial gap directly affects:

Squad depth in European knockout stages.
Ability to hold onto players.
Attractiveness to top managerial talent.

Tactical Identity and Youth Development

Where Dutch clubs shine is their football philosophy:

High pressing, technical play, positional fluidity.
A strong emphasis on youth development, creating world-class players like Frenkie de Jong, Virgil van Dijk, and Memphis Depay.

Yet, European success requires a balance of youth and experience—something Dutch clubs often lack due to their “sell-to-survive” model.

UEFA Coefficient Ranking: The Key to Growth

The Netherlands has steadily climbed the UEFA coefficient rankings:

Entered the Top 6 leagues by 2023.
Gained extra European spots, including more direct Champions League entries.

Maintaining and improving this ranking is essential. It:

Increases club visibility.
Brings more revenue.
Attracts better players and managers.

But this requires consistent performance across all Dutch clubs, not just Ajax or Feyenoord.

Can Dutch Clubs Win a European Trophy Soon?

Conference League: Most Likely Target

Given the current landscape, the UEFA Conference League presents the most realistic chance for Dutch success:

Feyenoord and AZ have shown the ability to go deep in this tournament.
Squad quality is comparable to rivals like Basel, Roma, or West Ham.

Europa League: A Possible but Steeper Climb

Deep Europa League runs are possible but depend on:

Cohesive squads without mid-season sales.
Avoiding injuries due to limited depth.
A stable tactical philosophy.

Champions League: Still a Dream?

A semi-final run like Ajax’s in 2019 is possible but rare. To truly challenge for the Champions League, Dutch clubs must:

Invest in infrastructure and facilities.
Develop long-term managerial projects.
Create sustainable ways to delay selling top talent.

Opportunities for Growth

Joint Ventures and Investment: Ajax and PSV have explored global partnerships. More outside investment could help clubs scale up without losing identity.
League Modernization: Improving Eredivisie branding and TV deals (like the Premier League did in the 1990s) could close the financial gap.
Talent Retention: Using player buy-back clauses or sell-on percentages to create more return from transfers.
Fan Engagement: Building larger global fanbases—especially in Asia, Africa, and the Americas—can create new revenue streams through digital content and merchandise.

Conclusion: Room to Grow, But Challenges Persist

Dutch clubs remain highly competitive in youth development and tactical innovation, but European success depends on more than just talent. The challenges are structural—financial inequality, squad turnover, and limited depth. Yet, the growth of Feyenoord, the consistency of PSV, and Ajax’s proven ability to compete show that the potential is there.

To truly answer the question—Are Dutch clubs in Europe competitive enough?—the answer is yes, but only under the right conditions. With improved investment, longer-term planning, and stability, Eredivisie teams can become dark horses in Europe once again.