“The winning teams that we loved to hate for their style of play.”

Arsenal, the team currently leading the Premier League in the 2025-26 season, is facing severe criticism due to its rudimentary playing style. However, it is not the first to encounter such a fate. What seems to matter to many coaches and players is victory, but the manner in which success is achieved turns several champion teams into pantomime villains. Let’s explore seven teams that, despite their achievements, have become targets of disdain due to their style of play.

We start with Greece, the champions of Euro 2004. Barry Glendenning from The Guardian described them as “the only underdogs in history that everyone wants to see lose.” Their strategy of man-marking and reliance on set pieces allowed Greece to eliminate more talented rivals. With 1-0 victories over Spain, France, the Czech Republic, and Portugal, Otto Rehhagel’s team won the tournament, leaving many biting their nails and lamenting the triumph of a team that had less glamour but plenty of tactical discipline.

Moving on to 2012, Spain became a team that many were tired of watching. With the conquest of their third consecutive trophy, even without David Villa, coach Vicente Del Bosque opted for a lineup without a recognized striker, leading to dull matches, such as the 2-0 win over a weak France and the penalty shootout victory over Portugal in a goalless semi-final. The Tiki-Taka style divided opinions, with fans debating whether it was a spectacle or a burden. Despite a convincing 4-0 victory in the final against Italy, many were relieved when the team exited the 2014 World Cup after just two matches.

The Liverpool team under Gérard Houllier, which won the treble of cups in 2001, is often remembered only for its effectiveness. The football played by the team was a conservative strategy, focused on a robust defense and the hope that Michael Owen would score. The iconic 0-0 draw against Barcelona, which even led the BBC to change the game’s time to avoid clashing with EastEnders, exemplifies the rather unexciting style of play. Houllier’s decision to leave Robbie Fowler out in favor of Emile Heskey is a testament to his pragmatic but limited approach. Jamie Carragher, reflecting on the season, expressed his frustration upon returning to training, feeling that the dream of a title was becoming increasingly distant. Houllier left the club in 2004 without having achieved the coveted Premier League.

Don Revie and Leeds, another team that became famous for its controversial tactics, were considered the true villains of football. The combination of underutilized talented players and a manager with autocratic methods resulted in a team that, despite achieving success, never possessed the beauty that many desired. Revie even claimed that “the way success is achieved should be considered,” but the reality at Elland Road was far from aesthetic.

In 2004, the Porto team, managed by José Mourinho and already known for its manipulative playing methods, surprised the world by winning the Champions League. With a squad that included Deco and Ricardo Carvalho, Porto was a team that knew how to use cunning to triumph, but many viewed this as a less honorable way to play.

George Graham, Arsenal’s manager in the 1990s, also saw his team dubbed “Boring, Boring Arsenal.” Although the team won titles, its defensive approach and narrow victories made it a target for criticism. The 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup final, where Arsenal defeated Parma, only reinforced the idea that the team played uninspiring football.

Finally, the famous Crazy Gang from Wimbledon in 1988 is an example of how player behavior can turn a team into a villain. With an aggressive approach both on and off the pitch, their style of play was so chaotic that many fans questioned whether it was truly football. Coach Bobby Gauld described the team as made up of players with “personal issues” that affected their performance on the field.

These teams, although they have achieved success, have shown that football can be as controversial as it is glorious, and that the methods used to win can often displease those who yearn for a more beautiful and exciting game.