There is a big lesson from UEFA for West Ham about what lies ahead if history is made in final months of the season.
West Ham have made plenty of history under David Moyes in recent years.
The Hammers recorded their record Premier League points total in 2020/21.
A place in the Champions League eluded West Ham by a solitary win that season.
But they secured a spot in the Europa League and went all the way to the semi-finals.
A seventh place finish secured a place in the Europa Conference League the following campaign.
Hammers making history in Europe
And that saw the Hammers set new records for unbeaten streaks among English teams on the continent.
It also culminated in the club’s first major trophy triumph for 43 years.
Lifting the Conference League meant a third consecutive season in Europe for West Ham.
West Ham are one of only six clubs who have made the quarter-finals of a UEFA competition in three straight seasons from 2021/22 to 2023/24.
They’re in elite company alongside Bayern Munich, Benfica, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Roma.
ACF Fiorentina v West Ham United FC – UEFA Europa Conference League Final 2022/23
West Ham vying for fourth consecutive European qualification
Ahead of the run-in, Moyes’ side are chasing Europa League glory and a fourth successive qualification for Europe via the Prem.
As things stand West Ham could still qualify for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League for next season.
But the competitions are all changing.
So UEFA has big lesson for West Ham about what lies ahead if history is made.
If West Ham win the Europa League they will qualify for the new-look Champions League.
All three UEFA competitions still possible for West Ham
The Hammers have played their part in making it highly likely that fifth place in the Premier League is rewarded with a Champions League spot.
And that has a knock-on effect for the Hammers. Liverpool’s Carabao Cup triumph ensures seventh place will be good enough to qualify for Europe again. But it could even go down to eighth or ninth spot depending on who wins the FA Cup and where they finish.
UEFA is changing the format of its competitions from next season.
If West Ham do qualify here’s everything you need to know about each from UEFA themselves.
UEFA have produced a short video explaining the changes to what’s known as the Swiss-model format.
All change in Europe next season
The current 32-team group stage as Hammers fans know it is being scrapped.
And it will be replaced by a 36-team league format. In the Champions League and Europa League, each team will be drawn against eight different opponents – two from each of the four seeding pots. It means four home games and four away.
In the Conference League it will be the same but six opponents rather than eight – one from each seeding pot.
At present group winners qualify directly for the last 16. From next season those places will go to the top eight teams in the league phase.
UEFA explain changes in full
Teams ranked nine to 24 then face off in the knockout play-off round. Teams from places 25-36 are eliminated from all competitions. So no dropping down into the competition below as has been the case up to now.
The knockout phase will be the same as it is right now. Games will be contested over two legs until the final.
“In the new league format every match, every goal, every point and position in the ranking counts,” UEFA states.
“The new system will ensure fast-changing and unpredictable standings. More matches between equally-ranked teams competing for crucial points. With fans able to enjoy top clashes right from the first match day. 2024 will be a thrilling new future for European club football.”
Now West Ham just have to try and make sure they’re part of it in the last two months of the season.
You can watch the video in the post below.
An exciting new era for European club football awaits ✨
Here’s how the #UEL will look from 2024/25 👇 pic.twitter.com/
rJhxUrGs9C
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 4, 2024
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