What qualifies this story to earn the title of most difficult journey to reach a Champions League? Firstly, for some context, we have to travel to the digital world where this story was first popularised online. Football Manager, the game in which you take over a club from a plethora of options worldwide and guide them to win as much as possible. Many online creators play the game and show their journeys to success. Often choosing their favourite clubs, most of which are very recognisable, as they can bring in more viewers. Then there are the so called ‘FM Challenges’. These are very different to a usual game file save.

An ‘FM Challenge’ requires a little more research into the games database. The challenges often require the player to take control of a club with a quirk or a financial situation. Example include taking over clubs with a points deduction due to financial issues, or even clubs, such as Athletic Club, who famously have strict recruitment policies and require you to sign players from the Basque country only. This tale is very different however and is deemed as one of the most difficult to challenge.

The Club In Discussion

We head over to Switzerland, well, sort of. In fact, we actually delve into the microstate of Liechtenstein where we come across FC Vaduz. Residing in Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, FC Vaduz hold a unique position in football. Liechtenstein, predominantly due to its size, does not have its own professional football league system. This, of course, makes it very difficult for clubs to progress and improve the nations football talent.

Due to this FC Vaduz play in the Swiss football league system. Allowing the club to be fully professional and gives the opportunity to play against other top-level clubs. This circumstance is apparent over Europe with AS Monaco playing in the French league system, San Marino Calcio playing in Italy’s system and FC Andorra playing in Spain. All these clubs are from microstates and find it beneficial to play from outside of their nation, with the permission from their adopted leagues.

Restrictions

FC Vaduz are, somehow, even more unique than these other clubs though. The aforementioned clubs, excluding FC Vaduz, all compete in their adopted nations cup competitions and can win titles as well as qualify for Europe through these pathways. FC Vaduz cannot do this though. Within the Swiss football system FC Vaduz are labelled as a ‘guest club’. The club are restricted from playing in the cup competitions and from representing Switzerland on the European stage.

So, why would anyone play for a club that won’t eventually play in European competition? Well, that statement is false, FC Vaduz can play in European competition via the Liechtensteiner Cup. Although the nation doesn’t haven’t a league format, they do hold an annual cup competition. Along with FC Vaduz there are a littering of Liechtenstein clubs playing in Switzerland, just at a lower level. The cup consists of seven clubs and their reserve teams. FC Vaduz dominate this competition with 51 titles overall with the next closest competitor being FC Balzers who have claimed 11 titles.

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European Competitions

Why is this relevant to Europe though? Even though the cup is ranked very low for coefficient, the victor does qualify for Conference League qualifiers. This is the only access to Europe for FC Vaduz and their fellow Liechtenstein clubs.

What makes the Champions League so difficult then, there’s a pathway to Europe, can’t be that difficult can it? This is where the famous online ‘FM Challenge’ gains its notoriety. FC Vaduz are the most successful club and the biggest from the microstate and therefore have the best opportunity for this. FC Vaduz currently play in the second division of Switzerland, and as of writing, they are currently fighting for the title to reach the Swiss Super League.

The difficulty is, even if FC Vaduz gain promotion and finish in the European places I the Swiss Super League, as a guest club, they will not be allowed to enter European competition through this method. They can only represent Liechtenstein. If they win the Swiss Super League, their European spot will be given to the highest finishing Swiss club. So how do they reach the Champions League?

Firstly, they will have to get through Conference League qualifiers, something they have only achieved once in the 2022/23 season. From here they will have to win the Conference League. Already this is seeming difficult, the club cannot match the likes of the Premier Leagues Conference League representatives, whether that be on talent or financial muscle. Unfortunately, this is the only way.

So, in the realm that FC Vaduz win the Conference League, they will be granted access to the Europa league. Now, the difficulty gets turned up even more. Not only will this be the clubs first appearance in this competition, they, unlike any other club, do not have a fall back. If they exit the Europa League, they can’t win a domestic competition to get back there. They once again have to win the Liechtensteiner Cup, and then the Conference League again just to get back to the Europa League.

How can this club get to the pinnacle of the Champions League then? The pathway starts early. Win the Liechtensteiner Cup, qualify for the Conference League and then win that. The following season play in the Europa League and win that. Only then can FC Vaduz play in the Champions League. Unfortunately for FC Vaduz, it is a similar tale here. Once knocked out they will have to start the whole process again. FC Vaduz will have to win all three European competitions consecutively to claim the Champions League. One slip and the process begins again.

A club from the obscurity of Liechtenstein, but a club with an online following due to its very unique circumstances. Often regarded as a ‘Challenge Club’ online because of the popularity of the Football Manager games, but a club that lives the reality of one mistake restarting a project from scratch.

Written and Researched by BSc Cavan Campbell

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