Relegation Struggles Highlight Challenges for Former Premier League Teams
The recent trend following relegation from the Premier League has shown that the financial safety nets often extended through parachute payments do not guarantee a swift return to the top flight. Last season was a prime example, as only Ipswich Town managed to secure a return, while Southampton and Leicester City struggled significantly. Southampton’s early issues under Will Still and later his replacement, Tonda Eckert, hindered their comeback ambitions, leaving them unable to return quickly. Leicester City’s situation was dire, as they faced a double relegation just ten years after lifting the Premier League trophy.
In the Championship, teams now face a more competitive landscape than ever. The focus shifts to West Ham United, Burnley, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, all of whom have significant expectations as they prepare for the new season.
West Ham United
How did they get here?
West Ham United hasn’t seen the second tier of English football for 14 years, but their performance has deteriorated since claiming victory in the Europa Conference League in 2023. A fierce battle with Tottenham Hotspur for survival culminated in four losses in their last five matches, sealing their fate.
What has happened this summer?
Much of West Ham’s summer was dominated by off-field issues rather than on-field developments. The club faced an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against co-owner David Sullivan, which he denies. Additionally, co-chair Vanessa Gold announced plans to sell family shares to a consortium led by Amanda Staveley. However, co-chair Daniel Kretinsky sold a small portion of his stake to facilitate the sale, indicating ongoing changes at the club.
What will be key to their success?
The retention of captain Jarrod Bowen is crucial for West Ham. His skill, pace, and high work rate can pose challenges for opposing defenses in the Championship. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo, boasting significant English Football League experience, adds further optimism for immediate promotion. The club’s massive home ground, London Stadium, accommodating over 62,000 fans, provides an unrivaled support system in the second tier.
What is the expectation this season?
West Ham emerges as a favorite to clinch the title, building confidence from their pedigree. However, the ongoing uncertainties off the pitch may impact performance on it. Early victories, such as a 3-1 win against Portsmouth in the EFL Cup, could set the tone, starting with their opening match against Burnley on August 16.
Burnley
How did they get here?
Burnley has become synonymous with a promotion and immediate relegation cycle, having experienced four promotions to the Premier League since 2014. Last season was particularly tough, netting only four wins, resulting in an unfortunate 22 points.
What has happened this summer?
With former manager Scott Parker departing in April, Burnley’s timing of appointing Nicky Hayen, previously of Genk, generated mixed reactions among the fans. While aiming for an effective rebuild, concerns surfaced regarding how well his vision will align with the squad’s needs.
What will be key to their success?
Burnley has seen significant squad turnover with 12 departures thus far. Recruitment that aligns with Hayen’s high-possession, direct style of play is critical going forward. The acquisition of players like new signing Ugo Raghouber, who fits this profile, could be a game-changer.
Are they likely contenders?
Burnley has shown they can run effective promotion campaigns, but their recent yo-yoing between leagues raises questions about sustainability. This season may prove particularly challenging.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
How did they get here?
Wolves experienced a tumultuous season under former boss Vitor Pereira, finishing last in the Premier League after failing to secure a win in their first ten games. Despite a brief uplift under Rob Edwards, their struggle culminated in a disappointing 20th place.
What has happened this summer?
Wolves fans expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s transfer practices, particularly following the sales of key players. However, their summer has seen a turnaround with the signing of experienced full-back Kieran Trippier and the return of fan-favorite striker Raul Jimenez, alongside the controversial appointment of untested manager Cesar Peixoto.
What will be key to their success?
Peixoto is known for his attacking style, which may reinvigorate the club. However, questions loom over how he will manage the pressure in the Championship, especially given the difficulties faced last season.
What is the expectation this season?
Wolves hope for a resurgence reminiscent of prior successes, banking on a well-rounded squad and an invigorating style of play to restore fan faith. The upcoming season is critical for mending relationships with supporters who have grown disenchanted due to inconsistent transfer policies.
This promises to be an intriguing Championship season as former Premier League sides rally for a quick return. Fans and teams alike will closely watch how these narratives unfold in the competition ahead.
The beneficiaries of generous parachute payments, it is often expected that those who drop out of the Premier League will be the big contenders to shoot straight back up – but that was not the case last season.
Only Ipswich Town returned to the top flight, and while Southampton did make up for a terrible start under boss Will Still, his replacement Tonda Eckert’s spying tactics put an end to their ambitions of bouncing back.
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And then there was Leicester City, who ultimately failed to escape a double relegation just a decade on from lifting the Premier League trophy.
Yes, the Championship is trickier than some might think. Will the three relegated sides of West Ham United, Burnley and Wolves be able to navigate it?
West Ham United
Defender Joel Veltman was West Ham’s first signing this summer so far amid uncertainty regarding the club’s ownership [Getty Images]
How did they get here?
It has been a whopping 14 years since West Ham have been in the second tier, but the side have been in steady decline since the high of winning the Europa Conference League in 2023.
In the end, it came down to a close, fascinating scrap between them and fellow top-flight stalwarts Tottenham Hotspur for survival, but four losses in their final five games sealed the Hammers’ fate.
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What has happened this summer?
Most of the headlines surrounding West Ham this summer had nothing to do with football.
There was a joint BBC Panorama and The Times investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against West Ham co-owner David Sullivan, which he categorically denies.
This was followed by Vanessa Gold, West Ham’s co-chair, confirming her family’s plans to sell its shares in the club to a consortium headed by ex-Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley.
However, fellow co-chair Daniel Kretinsky sold just over 2% of his stake in the club to Czech businessman Jakub Havrlant, making it possible for Kretinsky to purchase Gold’s shares under the club’s pre-emption rights clause, which gives existing shareholders first refusal on available shares.
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The whole process around the sale of Gold’s shares could take two months, well into the new season.
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen was the side’s top scorer in the Premier League last season [Getty Images]
What will be key to their success?
The retention of captain Jarrod Bowen is a major bonus for the Hammers.
The 29-year-old forward’s skillset should prove tricky for most second-tier defenders. He has also got pace and a high-work rate, which should serve him well in a physical league.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo could also be influential in West Ham’s success.
Despite suffering a poor end to last season, notably he is now the only head coach of the relegated trio to have managerial experience in the English Football League.
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The Portuguese took charge of Wolves in 2017 and led them to the Championship title in his first season, and his exploits in the Premier League since, particularly at Molineux and Nottingham Forest, will mean there will be plenty of expectation that he can get them promoted at the first time of asking.
Not to forget the power of the fans. London Stadium will be the biggest home ground the Championship has ever seen, housing 62,500 people. That is 51,831 more than Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank.
What is the expectation this season?
West Ham are the bookmakers’ favourites to win the title, and their pedigree alone is enough for their fans to have faith in an immediate bounce back.
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Though off-field, the headlines surrounding the club have been a cause of concern, and it is not unreasonable to believe that the uncertainty could take a toll on the players and coaching staff.
The Hammers did impress with a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth in the first round of the EFL Cup, though, and their opening game against Burnley on Sunday, 16 August (16:00 BST) could be telling as to how their season will unfold. Dazzle again there, and their fans will be blowing their bubbles freely.
Burnley
Former Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen was appointed as Burnley head coach in July [Getty Images]
How did they get here?
Burnley have been on the promotion-swiftly-followed-by-relegation rollercoaster for a few seasons now.
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They have experienced four promotions to the Premier League under three different managers since 2014 – Sean Dyche, Vincent Kompany and Scott Parker – and three of those promotions, including their past two, ended in an immediate drop back to the second tier.
Though in that time, last season’s Premier League campaign proved to be their toughest season yet, ending with a mere four wins to their name and amassing just 22 points.
What has happened this summer?
It is no surprise, Burnley have a new head coach given former boss Scott Parker left by mutual consent back in April, but the timing of appointing his replacement has left many fans concerned.
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Wales head coach Craig Bellamy had been heavily linked with the role in June, with the Clarets approaching the Football Association of Wales in a bid to bring the 47-year-old to Turf Moor.
However, it was not to be. Compensation was seemingly no issue, but negotiations for Bellamy’s backroom staff to join him at Turf Moor were thought to be a point of contention.
In stepped Genk boss Nicky Hayen, an appointment that had some wondering if it was made out of hope rather than meticulous planning.
Alan Pace (centre) is the first foreign owner of Burnley [Getty Images]
What will be key to their success?
Recruitment. The Clarets have seen 12 departures so far this summer and will need to rebuild their squad with a team that fits Hayen’s style of play.
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The Belgian likes to play high-possession football and wants to be direct once in a position to attack, so players who are good on the ball and able to intercept will be high on his wish list.
New signing Ugo Raghouber fits that profile perfectly, a defensive midfielder who is known for breaking up attacks and is good in the air.
Though the only other outfield player the Clarets have purchased this summer, forward Lluc Castell, fits the club’s preference for the stars of tomorrow since ALK Capital completed their takeover in 2020.
Of the 20 new players they brought to the club ahead of their promotion-winning Championship campaign in 2024-25, 12 were aged 25 or under.
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The following season in the Premier League, the Clarets stuck to this model, with seven of their 15 arrivals being 25 or under. Three were over the age of 30, including veteran defender and former England international Kyle Walker.
Castell shows plenty of promise but, at just 19, is still very much in early development.
While a younger squad may have struggled to compete at the top level, it’s been effective in the second tier, and Walker will be wanting to add a Championship trophy to the overflowing cabinet filled with accolades from his years at Manchester City.
Are they likely contenders?
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Burnley know how to run a promotion campaign.
They do not tend to linger in the second tier too long, and both previous managers that were appointed by owner Alan Pace – Kompany and Parker – won promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
But yo-yoing between the first and second tiers suggests they have an unsustainable model, and this year could be their most perilous yet.
Wolves will be Cesar Peixoto’s first head coaching position outside of his home country of Portugal [Getty Images]
How did they get here?
Wolves sunk to the bottom of the Premier League under former boss Vitor Pereira after going winless in their opening 10 games of last season.
Things did seem to take a short upswing when Rob Edwards took the reins in November, and they finally got their first victory against West Ham in January, but there would be no miracle escape as they finished 20th in the table and 21 points from safety.
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What has happened this summer?
The Wolves fans make no secret of their misgivings over the transfer habits of their club.
Whether it was winger Pedro Neto’s departure to Chelsea or Manchester United’s swoop for forward Matheus Cunha, for years now Wolves have sold their best players for big money, and the weakness of their squad during the 2025-26 season suggested it had not been wisely invested back into the team.
Owners Fosun seemed to have turned a corner, though, in this transfer window, bringing in the experience of full-back Kieran Trippier and keeping hold of midfielder Andre, as well as welcoming back the popular figure of striker Raul Jimenez.
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However, the goodwill over Jimenez’s return was quickly cut off with the sacking of Edwards days later and his replacement with little-known Portuguese head coach Cesar Peixoto.
That change also seemed to stall Wolves’ ambitious start to the transfer window.
Teenage forward Mateus Mane made his breakthrough into Wolves’ first-team last season [Getty Images]
What will be key to their success?
Peixoto is known in Portugal for his attacking football and how that transfers into the Championship could be key to how well Wolves perform this season.
The 46-year-old is looking to stamp his aggressive but pragmatic identity on to his new side.
A high press could feature often in Wolves’ upcoming campaign, but he will also be looking for cool heads and smart football.
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All of this is in theory, though, as Peixoto is untested in English football, and he has inherited a side that struggled to keep it together under the pressure of the Premier League.
The appointment feels risky, even more so given many fans felt Edwards’ arrival last season was intended for life back in the Championship after he took Luton Town to the top flight in 2023.
Trippier and Jimenez, both aged 35, joined with Edwards in the managerial seat, bringing the much-needed experience Wolves required.
The talent of 18-year-old Mateus Mane was one of the few highlights in a poor Premier League season, and undoubtedly fans will be hoping to see more exciting fresh faces signed before the summer transfer window closes.
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What is the expectation this season?
Wolves will be hoping lightning strikes twice and that, like their memorable 2017-18 title-winning season, a mysterious, untested Portuguese manager will lead them to glory.
He may have a lack of experience in English football, but there is plenty of it in the dressing room thanks to the new signings, and Peixoto’s attacking football could inject a little life into a disillusioned Molineux.
The relationship between the fans and Fosun remains frosty though, and you have to feel only a strong season will help to repair the damage done over several years of disappointing transfer windows.
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You can catch all the action from the opening weekend of the Championship right here on the BBC Sport website with live text coverage across all three days, starting with Wolves v Blackburn Rovers on Friday at 20:00 BST.
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