Surprise Premier League club named as richest in England for first time ever

The Deloitte “Rich-List” is here

While Real Madrid top the list with revenues of 1.2bn euros (£1.01bn), despite failing to secure either of the Champions League or La Liga titles last season, the biggest financial heavyweight in England, Manchester United, dropped to their lowest ever position.

Financial firm Deloitte have released the latest edition of the Football Money League, revealing the clubs with the highest earnings over the past 12-months, and it is packed full of surprises.

While Real Madrid top the list with revenues of 1.2bn euros (£1.01bn), despite failing to secure either of the Champions League or La Liga titles last season, the biggest financial heavyweight in England, Manchester United, dropped to their lowest ever position.

Following Barcelona in second (£819m), Bayern Munich in third (£723m), and PSG in fourth (£703m), Liverpool emerged as England’s richest club in fifth place.

Following a brilliant title-winning debut season for Arne Slot, the Reds earned £702 million, cementing themselves as England’s highest earning.

For the first time in 29 editions of the list, there are no English sides amongst the top four highest earners.

The impact of Man United’s decline was summed up by Deloitte Sports Business Group lead partner Tim Bridge, quoted by the BBC: “If you went back 10 or 15 years, and you looked at Manchester United‘s matchday revenue it was the industry leader.

“If you looked at their ability to generate commercial revenue, it was the benchmark by which everybody then went to market and set their strategy. I don’t think that remains the case.”

Following Man United’s failure to qualify for Europe last season, and the club’s early exits from both FA and EFL Cups this term, a report in the Telegraph last month suggested Man United could be facing a £50 million decline in matchday revenues.