The 2024/2025 football season has finally wrapped up, but not without its twists, drama, and surprises in European tier one leagues. Records were broken, new chapters were written, and history was made on some of the sport’s biggest stages. It was a dream debut season crowned with silverware for some managers, while a few players proudly lifted their first-ever trophies.
In this two-part review, we’ll relive the standout successes of the season. Part One focuses on Arne Slot’s incredible feat of guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first campaign, alongside Tottenham’s long-awaited Europa League triumph. We’ll also touch on Sunderland’s remarkable return to the Premier League and Aberdeen’s shock Scottish Cup victory over Celtic.
Part Two will highlight other inspiring stories from the world of football. So, sit back and enjoy as we guide you through the first chapter of this season’s unforgettable journey.
Slot’s Liverpool won the EPL in his debut season.
Many doubted Liverpool’s chances of winning the title at the season’s beginning. Last season, they fell short after a promising run, fading in the final months. The departure of their legendary manager, Jürgen Klopp, further fueled this uncertainty. His successor, Arne Slot, arrived from Feyenoord with cautious optimism and lingering scepticism. Many wondered if Slot’s success in the Netherlands could translate to English football.
Slot promised evolution, not revolution, sticking closely to Klopp’s high-pressing and fluid style. Yet, slight tactical tweaks allowed Liverpool to thrive and surprise their doubters early. The 46-year-old Dutchman has surpassed expectations by winning the Premier League title. Slot becomes the first Dutch manager to lift the Premier League trophy. He also joins Mourinho, Ancelotti, Pellegrini, and Conte as debut-season champions.
Liverpool sealed the title with a stunning 5-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield with four games left. They ended Manchester City’s historic four-year dominance of the Premier League title. Slot’s team led the table for most of the campaign, losing just two league games in all 38 matches.
Mohamed Salah has been the team’s standout star in this memorable title-winning run. He scored 28 goals and assisted 18, driving Liverpool’s attack with brilliance. Salah’s form earned him a third Player of the Year award this season.
Tottenham Crowned Europa League Champions
Tottenham Hotspur endured a disappointing 2024/25 Premier League campaign, finishing a lowly 17th and suffering 22 defeats. This is the most losses ever for a side that avoided relegation. Despite their domestic struggles, Spurs found redemption in Europe under Ange Postecoglou, who adjusted his tactics to guide the team to UEFA Europa League glory.
Their European journey, which began with a victory over Qarabağ in September, ended triumphantly in Bilbao, where they edged Manchester United 1-0 in the final. Brennan Johnson’s decisive goal late in the first half secured Tottenham’s first major trophy in 17 years and their first European success since lifting the UEFA Cup in 1984.
Postecoglou’s men survived late pressure from United, with crucial defensive interventions from Micky van de Ven and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario preserving the lead. This Europa League triumph also secures Tottenham a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, offering some consolation after a dismal domestic season.
The win marks a rare highlight in an otherwise forgettable campaign, bringing joy to the fans. It also serves as redemption after their heartbreaking Champions League final loss to Liverpool six years ago. However, the victory doesn’t help Ange Postecoglou avoid being relieved of his duty as Spurs manager.
Sunderland’s fairy-tale promotion to the Premier League
Sunderland have sealed a remarkable return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence. Despite ending their Championship campaign with five straight defeats, Régis Le Bris’ side found form in the play-offs, edging past Coventry City with a dramatic extra-time winner to reach the final.
Sunderland finished fourth in the league table with 76 points from 46 matches, recording 21 wins, 13 draws, and 12 defeats. In his debut season at the Stadium of Light, Le Bris transformed a squad that had placed 16th the previous year and only escaped League One in 2022.
Key players this season included top scorer Wilson Isidor, who netted 13 goals across tournaments. Also, 19-year-old Jobe Bellingham was pivotal and earned the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season. However, the youngster has departed for Borussia Dortmund this summer.
In the final, Sheffield United took the lead through Tyrese Campbell, but Sunderland responded through Eliezer Mayenda’s equalizer and Watson’s unlikely winner. Remarkably, Sunderland became the first side since Leicester City in 1996 to overturn a half-time deficit in a playoff final and win.
This victory secured their Premier League promotion and delivered a financial windfall of £200 million. This is widely referred to as the richest prize for a match in football history.
Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup.
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic were on the verge of securing a historic ninth domestic treble, having lifted the Scottish Premiership and League Cup this season. However, Aberdeen dramatically shattered that dream in the Scottish Cup final, ending a 35-year wait to reclaim the trophy.
Celtic entered the clash as overwhelming favourites, having dominated Aberdeen in recent encounters with emphatic scorelines such as 5-1 and 6-0. Brendan Rodgers boasted a perfect 14-game winning record at Hampden Park, and the Hoops enjoyed total control, registering 21 shots, 81.5% possession, and 15 corners to Aberdeen’s modest five efforts and four corners.
Despite these overwhelming stats, Aberdeen’s defence was heroic under Jimmy Thelin’s guidance, blocking countless Celtic attempts and frustrating their rhythm. Inspired by the wave of football shocks across Europe this year, the underdogs, like Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph and Bologna’s Coppa Italia win, sensed another upset.
The teams were locked at 1-1 after extra time in a tense, dramatic final. After more than three decades of waiting, Aberdeen held their nerve in the penalty shootout, edging Celtic 4-3 to seal the Scottish Cup.
Conclusion
In a season marked by unexpected twists and thrilling triumphs, 2024/2025 will be remembered as football’s grand stage for underdogs and fresh heroes. Success stories, this campaign reminded fans that nothing in football is certain. Established giants were humbled, and rising challengers seized glory. As the dust settles, one truth stands clear in football: ‘Surprises remain the game’s greatest beauty’.
Adedayo is the Co-founder and lead analyst at SoccerOrator.com. With 5+ years of experience as a sports writer for major platforms like Betzillion and Eaglespredict, he brings an expert eye to the global betting markets. Formerly a multi-sport analyst covering everything from Tennis to Esports, he now specializes exclusively in European football. He provides weekly, data-backed previews for the EPL, Champions League, and top-flight European leagues, helping bettors find value through rigorous statistical analysis.
