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Arsenal won 2020 FA Cup
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It’s been an incredibly frantic summer with clubs aiming to improve their squads by making significant signings ahead of the new season, but it’s now upon us. While some European competitions have already started, three of the top five leagues get underway this weekend - the English Premier League, LaLiga and Ligue 1. The Bundesliga and Serie A kick off next weekend and the aim for the leading European clubs is simple - to win trophies.
While clubs with differing levels of resources and status will have different objectives for the new seasons, top teams are judged on silverware. Boasting a decorated history and glittery trophy cabinet is a major factor in why Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool are considered amongst the biggest clubs in the world. Elite outfits spend hundreds of millions in the transfer market to back managers in their quest to be successful and that places huge pressure upon them. Using Transfermarkt data, we’ve analysed which managers have spent the most money since they last won major silverware - one-off games and super cups aren't classified as major trophies.
Which managers have spent the most since last winning a major trophy?
Firstly, we haven't included how much clubs and managers have spent this summer during the 2025/26 season. That’s to ensure fairness, as it’s literally impossible to win silverware before the season starts regardless of the investment - from July 1, 2025 onwards is classified as the 2025/26 season by Transfermarkt, so deals from the temporary Club World Cup window will be included. As the graphic below illustrates, Mikel Arteta has spent more than any other manager since last winning a major trophy with an outlay of €778 million.
The Arsenal boss has been backed significantly by the north London hierarchy but he’s fallen just short, finishing second in three consecutive Premier League seasons. Arteta won the FA Cup in his first season at Arsenal in 2019/20 but he’s been unable to deliver a major trophy in the last five seasons - the Gunners have won two Community Shields but that one-off Wembley game isn’t classed as a major trophy.
Link Rubrik="Mikel Arteta" Text="Transfer record in full" URL="https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mikel-arteta/spielertransfers/trainer/47620"]
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mikel-arteta/spielertransfers/trainer/47620
Two current Premier League managers complete the top three, with Unai Emery spending €430m since winning the Europa League with Villarreal in 2021 and Man City investing €392m into Pep Guardiola's squad since their FIFA Club World Cup success in 2023. Emery has been at Villarreal and Aston Villa since winning the Europa League while Guardiola has solely been at Man City. Several high-profile managers feature in the top-10 list, including Diego Simeone, Erik ten Hag and Xabi Alonso.
Does Mikel Arteta need to win a major trophy this season?
It’s indisputable that Arteta has transformed Arsenal since replacing Emery in December 2019. The Spaniard inherited an ageing squad, full of inflated egos. But he’s assembled an impressive collection of players, full of elite level stars and Arsenal currently possess the third most valuable squad in the world at €1.32 billion.
Moreover, Arsenal have the most valuable starting XI of all English clubs and six of their players feature in the most valuable Premier League combined XI. Arteta has done a very good job at Arsenal but can he afford another trophyless season in North London? Pressure is undeniably building on the 43-year-old to win a major trophy, and that’s only highlighted by the fact that he’s been backed to the tune of marginally over €1.02bn since Arsenal lifted the FA Cup in 2020.
