First and foremost, 'minor' Benfica from Portugal credibly knocked out two of the most successful English clubs (Manchester United and Liverpool) in the early phase of the Champions League last season. Chelsea, the other English side to have made the semis of the Champions League, is still to build up a reputation in the competition. It is instructive that this is the first time three English clubs have reached the semi-finals of the competition. Strangely, this flash in the pan has led to claims that the Premiership is dominating Europe. This notion surfaced way back before the semis were staged. AC Milan trounced Manchester United to book a place alongside England's Liverpool, and spoiled an anticipated all English final. The gloomy observation is that none of the three Premiership teams have an English manager. Compare this to the fact that Spanish and Italian clubs have dominated and continue to dominate Europe under the guidance of native tacticians. The emphasis of the claim that English teams outperformed their opponents took place after the heavy Manchester United humiliation of Italian middleweights, Roma in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. After the 7-1 hiding at Manchester United's Old Trafford backyard, Sir Alex Ferguson was quick to affirm the Premiership's reign in Europe. "The fact that three English teams should be in the semi-finals probably makes our league the best in Europe. Six or seven years ago, Spanish football was the best. But on the evidence of this season, Barcelona and Real Madrid are not as near to where they were in previous years," Ferguson told the Daily Telegraph. Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho and Bolton's Sam Alladyce joined in singing the praises of the Premiership. Not to be left out, embattled Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger predicted an English side will win the Champions League.
The English Premiership is the most commercially successful league in the world with a turnover of more than 1.5 billion (P18 billion) in the previous season. Its popularity in many countries helped the profits to soar but this does not mean it has the quality or competitiveness to make it the best in Europe. At club level, Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona surpassed Manchester United as the most profitable outfits. Granted, the Premiership has improved over the years and is surely catching up with the two best leagues in the world - Italian Serie A and Spanish La Liga.
