European League Will Not Get Automatic Place In The Champions League Group Stage

It looks like the decline of Dutch football is really taking its toll after it was announced that the Eredivisie will not get an automatic place in the Champions League next season.

On Friday afternoon, publications of new UEFA ranking confirmed the news, as the Dutch league are set to miss out on automatic places for the very first time.

Dutch champions Feyenoord finished bottom of the Champions League group stage this season, and Vitesse Arnhem were bottom of their Europa League group - another sign that Dutch football has somewhat declined in recent years.

Ajax, PSV & Utrecht didn't even qualify for the group stages.

In years gone by, the Dutch champions have gained automatic entry to the group stages since the competition was reformed in 1994-95, but this latest news is devastating news for the big hitters in Holland.

The fact that Ajax were the Europa League runners up last season shows the decline and as we know, the Netherlands have also underperformed in the World Cup qualifiers in recent months.

While Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Ghana are also among the teams not taking part.

Thoughts on Dutch football not getting an automatic Champions League place?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Ajax, Champions League, Feyenoord

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_