The Missteps of 2024: Teams, Coaches, and Players Who Fell Short
An exploration of a year marked by unexpected failures and dashed expectations in football, from national teams to individual stars.
In a year dominated by high hopes and crushing disappointments, 2024 will be remembered by some as a season to forget.
From the struggles of national teams to the faltering careers of promising players, the footballing world bore witness to numerous missteps.
Here are the key moments that defined the year for those who stumbled when it mattered most.
Ukraine’s Euro 2024 Heartbreak
The Ukrainian national team entered Euro 2024 with aspirations as high as the skies.
Representing a nation grappling with a brutal conflict, their campaign was seen as a beacon of hope.
Victories in playoff matches against Bosnia and Iceland fuelled expectations of a triumphant group stage.
Drawn into a group with Romania and Slovakia, Ukraine seemed poised for smooth sailing to the knockout stages.
Instead, a calamitous opening defeat to Romania, capped by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s shocking errors, set the tone for a disappointing tournament.
A narrow victory over Slovakia rekindled faint hopes, but a goalless draw against Belgium sent Ukraine home on goal difference.
Star players such as Artem Dovbyk and Georgiy Sudakov, tipped for stardom, underperformed, leaving the nation to rue what might have been.
Chile’s Decline on the South American Stage
Once a powerhouse vying for South America’s top honours, Chile’s fortunes took a nosedive in 2024.
A dismal Copa América campaign saw the team exit without scoring a single goal, finishing behind Canada in the group stage.
Worse still, their World Cup qualification campaign unraveled spectacularly.
A shocking home loss to Bolivia, coupled with expected defeats to Brazil and Argentina, left them languishing near the bottom of the standings.
Despite Ricardo Gareca’s efforts, the team’s ageing core, including Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez, struggled to deliver.
As newer talents failed to step up, Chile’s footballing future appeared bleak, with 2025 holding little promise of redemption.
Roma’s Rollercoaster Season
Italian football enthusiasts watched in despair as AS Roma descended into chaos.
Starting the year with the controversial sacking of José Mourinho, the club’s fortunes did not improve under legendary midfielder-turned-coach Daniele De Rossi.
Poor performances in Serie A, coupled with dressing room unrest, culminated in De Rossi’s dismissal.
Successor Ivan Jurić fared no better, alienating key players like Mats Hummels and record signing Artem Dovbyk.
By November, Roma turned to Claudio Ranieri to salvage their season.
With relegation no longer unthinkable, even neutral fans hoped for stability in the Eternal City.
Valencia’s Steady Decline
Under Peter Lim’s controversial ownership, Valencia hit new lows in 2024.
Mid-table mediocrity gave way to relegation fears as coach Rubén Baraja was sacked following a string of poor results.
Despite the heroics of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, the club found itself adrift, with fans’ frustration reaching a boiling point.
The year’s struggles underscored the need for a reset in a club burdened by years of mismanagement.
Individual Misfortunes: Players Who Lost Their Spark
João Félix
Once hailed as Portugal’s next great hope, João Félix’s 2024 reinforced fears that his career was veering off track.
A disappointing loan spell at Barcelona ended without a permanent transfer, leaving Félix to rejoin Chelsea.
Despite the Blues’ hefty investment, Félix struggled for playing time and influence, casting doubt on his long-term prospects.
Marco Asensio
Hopes were high when Marco Asensio joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, but by 2024, the Spanish forward found himself on the fringes.
Limited appearances and underwhelming performances led to speculation about an early exit.
With no involvement in Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign, Asensio’s future looked increasingly uncertain.
Coaches Under Fire
Erik ten Hag
Despite leading Manchester United to an FA Cup victory, Erik ten Hag’s third season at Old Trafford ended in ignominy.
A disastrous start to the Premier League campaign led to his dismissal in October.
The Dutchman, once celebrated for his success at Ajax, faced an uncertain future after his reputation took a significant hit.
Pep Lijnders
As Jürgen Klopp’s trusted assistant at Liverpool, Pep Lijnders seemed poised for success when he took charge of RB Salzburg.
However, a disastrous Champions League campaign and a mid-table league finish saw Lijnders dismissed before the year’s end.
Even Klopp’s influence as Red Bull’s global sporting director could not save him.
A Year to Reflect
From national teams faltering under pressure to clubs grappling with internal turmoil, 2024 was a year that tested the resolve of many in football.
While some will seek redemption in 2025, others may find their paths permanently altered.
For fans and players alike, the lessons of 2024 serve as a reminder of the sport’s unpredictable nature and the thin line between triumph and failure.
From the struggles of national teams to the faltering careers of promising players, the footballing world bore witness to numerous missteps.
Here are the key moments that defined the year for those who stumbled when it mattered most.
Ukraine’s Euro 2024 Heartbreak
The Ukrainian national team entered Euro 2024 with aspirations as high as the skies.
Representing a nation grappling with a brutal conflict, their campaign was seen as a beacon of hope.
Victories in playoff matches against Bosnia and Iceland fuelled expectations of a triumphant group stage.
Drawn into a group with Romania and Slovakia, Ukraine seemed poised for smooth sailing to the knockout stages.
Instead, a calamitous opening defeat to Romania, capped by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s shocking errors, set the tone for a disappointing tournament.
A narrow victory over Slovakia rekindled faint hopes, but a goalless draw against Belgium sent Ukraine home on goal difference.
Star players such as Artem Dovbyk and Georgiy Sudakov, tipped for stardom, underperformed, leaving the nation to rue what might have been.
Chile’s Decline on the South American Stage
Once a powerhouse vying for South America’s top honours, Chile’s fortunes took a nosedive in 2024.
A dismal Copa América campaign saw the team exit without scoring a single goal, finishing behind Canada in the group stage.
Worse still, their World Cup qualification campaign unraveled spectacularly.
A shocking home loss to Bolivia, coupled with expected defeats to Brazil and Argentina, left them languishing near the bottom of the standings.
Despite Ricardo Gareca’s efforts, the team’s ageing core, including Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sánchez, struggled to deliver.
As newer talents failed to step up, Chile’s footballing future appeared bleak, with 2025 holding little promise of redemption.
Roma’s Rollercoaster Season
Italian football enthusiasts watched in despair as AS Roma descended into chaos.
Starting the year with the controversial sacking of José Mourinho, the club’s fortunes did not improve under legendary midfielder-turned-coach Daniele De Rossi.
Poor performances in Serie A, coupled with dressing room unrest, culminated in De Rossi’s dismissal.
Successor Ivan Jurić fared no better, alienating key players like Mats Hummels and record signing Artem Dovbyk.
By November, Roma turned to Claudio Ranieri to salvage their season.
With relegation no longer unthinkable, even neutral fans hoped for stability in the Eternal City.
Valencia’s Steady Decline
Under Peter Lim’s controversial ownership, Valencia hit new lows in 2024.
Mid-table mediocrity gave way to relegation fears as coach Rubén Baraja was sacked following a string of poor results.
Despite the heroics of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, the club found itself adrift, with fans’ frustration reaching a boiling point.
The year’s struggles underscored the need for a reset in a club burdened by years of mismanagement.
Individual Misfortunes: Players Who Lost Their Spark
João Félix
Once hailed as Portugal’s next great hope, João Félix’s 2024 reinforced fears that his career was veering off track.
A disappointing loan spell at Barcelona ended without a permanent transfer, leaving Félix to rejoin Chelsea.
Despite the Blues’ hefty investment, Félix struggled for playing time and influence, casting doubt on his long-term prospects.
Marco Asensio
Hopes were high when Marco Asensio joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, but by 2024, the Spanish forward found himself on the fringes.
Limited appearances and underwhelming performances led to speculation about an early exit.
With no involvement in Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign, Asensio’s future looked increasingly uncertain.
Coaches Under Fire
Erik ten Hag
Despite leading Manchester United to an FA Cup victory, Erik ten Hag’s third season at Old Trafford ended in ignominy.
A disastrous start to the Premier League campaign led to his dismissal in October.
The Dutchman, once celebrated for his success at Ajax, faced an uncertain future after his reputation took a significant hit.
Pep Lijnders
As Jürgen Klopp’s trusted assistant at Liverpool, Pep Lijnders seemed poised for success when he took charge of RB Salzburg.
However, a disastrous Champions League campaign and a mid-table league finish saw Lijnders dismissed before the year’s end.
Even Klopp’s influence as Red Bull’s global sporting director could not save him.
A Year to Reflect
From national teams faltering under pressure to clubs grappling with internal turmoil, 2024 was a year that tested the resolve of many in football.
While some will seek redemption in 2025, others may find their paths permanently altered.
For fans and players alike, the lessons of 2024 serve as a reminder of the sport’s unpredictable nature and the thin line between triumph and failure.