Relegation is painful. Shedding your house in a league, particularly the highest flight, can convey heartbreak and likewise mockery from rival followers.
For some, although, it’s a reduction. Many match-going supporters of smaller sides will say they like to observe their crew in a decrease division: it is cheaper, much less business, and a win is extra possible – which frequently makes for a extra enjoyable time out.
However for the largest golf equipment of all, relegation is unthinkable. And in addition humiliating.
But it is usually pretty frequent. Lots of the world’s high golf equipment have dropped down a division and even two sooner or later of their historical past. Right here, a have a look at a number of the most well-known examples…
32. Everton
Traditionally, Everton are one among England’s most profitable sides and the Toffees received two First Division titles and a European Cup Winners’ Cup within the mid-Eighties.
Current occasions have been extra of a battle for the Liverpool-based membership, however the Blues have nonetheless not been relegated since ending twenty second within the Outdated First Division in 1950/51. They have been promoted once more in 1953/54, which was the yr Liverpool went down.
31. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have by no means been relegated from the Bundesliga and are far and away probably the most profitable aspect in Germany. Between 2012 and 2023, the Bavarians received the title 11 occasions in a row.
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However even Bayern have been relegated as soon as. It occurred approach again in 1955, when Die Roten completed sixteenth within the previous Oberliga Sud (Premier League South) after simply six wins from their 30 video games. They received promotion the next season.
30. Sampdoria
Sampdoria loved nice success within the late Eighties and Nineteen Nineties, profitable Serie A, three Coppa Italia crowns and a European Cup Winners’ Cup in that interval.
The Genoa-based membership additionally reached the European Cup last in 1992, dropping to Barcelona at Wembley. However latest occasions have been extra powerful, with relegation from Serie A in 1999, 2011 and once more in 2023.
29. Monaco
Monaco are one among France’s greatest and most profitable sides and memorably reached the ultimate of the Champions League in 2004.
However the Purple and Whites have been relegated to Ligue 1 after ending 18th in a disastrous marketing campaign in 2010/11 they usually took two years to return to the highest flight. 4 years after that, with a younger Kylian Mbappe of their ranks, Monaco received the Ligue 1 title.
28. Schalke
Certainly one of Germany’s most profitable sides in trendy occasions, Schalke have received seven German championships and lifted the UEFA Cup within the 1996/97 season.
The membership commonly attracts over 60,000 followers to their residence video games within the Bundesliga, however latest occasions have been tough, with relegation from Germany’s high tier in 2021 and 2023. In whole, Schalke have gone down 5 occasions.
27. Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest famously received the European Cup twice below Brian Clough in a massively memorable period on the Metropolis Floor. However latest occasions have been tougher.
Forest final dropped out of England’s high flight in 1998/99 and even misplaced their standing as a Championship crew in 2003/04, however returned to the Premier League after a protracted hiatus in 2022.
26. Hamburg
Six-time German champions and European Cup winners in 1983, Hamburg have been one among Europe’s strongest sides within the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties.
HSV have been relegated from the Bundesliga for the primary time in 2017/18, however continued to draw enormous crowds for his or her residence matches, with greater than 50,000 commonly in attendance on the Volksparkstadion.
25. AEK Athens
AEK Athens are one among Greece’s “massive three” soccer golf equipment together with native rivals Olympiacos and Panathinaikos.
In April 2013, AEK have been relegated for the primary time of their historical past after the Athens membership have been docked three factors for a pitch invasion by their followers in a recreation in opposition to Panthrakikos. In June, AEK opted to grow to be an novice membership and self-relegated to Greece’s third tier, finally returning to the Tremendous League in 2015.
24. Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund are one among Germany’s greatest, best-supported and most profitable golf equipment, however BVB had a tough time within the Nineteen Seventies and far of the Eighties.
Blighted by monetary issues, Dortmund misplaced their Bundesliga standing in 1972 and spent 4 seasons in Germany’s second tier earlier than returning to the highest flight in 1976. The Black and Yellow virtually went down once more in 1986, finally surviving after three play-off matches in opposition to Fortuna Koln.
23. Marseille
Winners of the inaugural Champions League in 1992/93, Marseille additionally completed first within the French First Division that season, however have been stripped of the title and relegated to the second tier for the 1994/95 marketing campaign.
That was after a match-fixing scandal within the final match of the 1992/93 season, when three Valenciennes gamers have been requested to underperform and permit OM a straightforward win to clinch the title and keep away from exertion forward of the Champions League last. Two accepted the bribe, however midfielder Jacques Glassman didn’t and later revealed the scandal publicly. Marseille, beforehand relegated thrice, returned to the highest flight after two years.
22. Sevilla
Sevilla are one among Spain’s greatest golf equipment lately and the Andalusians have dominated the Europa League particularly, profitable the competitors seven occasions between 2005 and 2023.
Over their historical past, Sevilla have been relegated from Spain’s high flight 4 occasions, with the final of these in 1999/2000 – additionally the final time Atletico Madrid went down.
21. Palmeiras
Certainly one of Brazil’s best-supported and most profitable sides, Palmeiras have additionally had some tough occasions for the reason that begin of the millennium.
Relegated for the primary time of their historical past in 2002, Palmeiras went down once more in 2012, however bounced again right away to Brazil’s Serie A on each events.
20. Arsenal
Arsenal have spent greater than 100 years consecutively in England’s high flight, longer than another membership, and the Gunners have been relegated simply as soon as of their complete historical past.
That occurred approach again in 1912/13. Taking part in as Woolwich Arsenal and primarily based in south London, the Gunners picked up simply 18 factors from 38 video games and went down together with Notts County. In 1914/15, Arsenal dropped Woolwich from their identify and returned to the highest flight on the second time of asking.
19. Newcastle United
Newcastle United’s 4 league titles and 6 FA Cups might have been received a very long time in the past, however the Magpies stay an enormous membership – particularly within the North East.
Two of Newcastle’s six relegations from the highest flight occurred comparatively just lately – in 2008/09 and 2015/16. The Magpies received promotion again to the Premier League right away on each events.
18. Roma
Roma are one among Italy’s greatest golf equipment and the Giallorossi have constantly completed in Serie A’s high six or seven groups over the previous 40 years.
Scudetto winners in 1982/83 and 2000/01, Roma have been relegated simply as soon as of their historical past. The capital membership completed nineteenth out of 20 groups in 1950/51 and went down together with Genoa. They returned to Serie A the next season.
17. Valencia
Valencia got here near dropping their top-flight standing in 2023, however rallied in direction of the top of the season and finally completed in sixteenth place.
The Mestalla outfit have solely been relegated from La Liga as soon as of their historical past and that occurred in 1985/86, additionally after ending sixteenth (out of 18 groups again then). They returned to La Liga right away after profitable the Segunda Division in 1986/87.
16. Aston Villa
Aston Villa received the First Division title in 1981 and adopted up that success by claiming the European Cup the next season.
However the Birmingham-based membership have been relegated just some years later, in 1986/87, and went down once more in 2015/16 after a marketing campaign which yielded solely 17 factors. In whole, the Villans have gone down six occasions.
15. Fiorentina
Fiorentina have been relegated from Italy’s Serie A simply 4 occasions – however the final two of these occurred comparatively just lately.
The Florence-based membership misplaced their top-flight standing after ending sixteenth in 1992/93 and went down once more after coming seventeenth in 2001/02. After submitting for chapter that summer time, Fiorentina have been demoted to Italy’s third tier. La Viola returned to Serie A for the 2004/05 season after back-to-back promotions.
14. Liverpool
Virtually all of England’s greatest golf equipment have been relegated at some stage and that features Liverpool.
The Reds have suffered the drop simply thrice of their complete historical past: in 1895, 1903 and 1954. On the final of these, the Anfield membership completed twenty second and went on to spent eight seasons in Division 2 earlier than returning to the highest flight in 1962.
13. Napoli
Serie A winners with the good Diego Maradona of their crew in 1987 and 1990, Napoli clinched the Scudetto once more in 2023 after a 33-year wait.
However there have been some lows alongside the way in which, together with 5 Serie A relegations total. The final of these occurred in 2001, however worse was to come back as Napoli additionally dropped right down to Italy’s third tier in 2003/04. They returned to Serie A in 2007.
12. Santos
Just below a yr after the passing of membership legend Pele, Santos have been relegated to Brazil’s Serie B for the primary time of their 111-year historical past.
Relegation was confirmed in December 2023 after a 2-1 defeat at residence to Fortaleza noticed Santos drop into the underside three on the ultimate day of the season. The membership later vowed to not use Pele’s well-known quantity 10 till their return to Brazil’s Serie A.
11. Rangers
Rangers have dominated Scottish soccer together with Celtic and the 2 Glasgow giants share one of many recreation’s best rivalries.
In 2011/12, Rangers completed 20 factors behind Celtic within the Scottish Premiership, however the Gentle Blues have been relegated to the nation’s fourth tier after going into administration and getting into proceedings to be liquidated. Below a distinct construction, they labored their approach again up and returned to the SPL in 2016.
10. Lazio
Lazio are one among Italy’s greatest groups and the capital membership share an enormous rivalry – in addition to their Stadio Olimpico residence – with metropolis rivals Roma.
The Biancocelesti weren’t relegated to Italy’s second tier till 1961, however went down once more in 1967 and in 1971. Then, in 1980, the membership was downgraded to Serie B together with AC Milan on account of a scandal over unlawful bets on their very own matches. They returned to the highest flight in 1983 and have been relegated once more in 1984/85.
9. Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur have been ever-present within the Premier League and are one among England’s greatest golf equipment – even when that has not been mirrored by trophies in latest occasions.
Spurs have been relegated in 1977 after ending backside of the previous First Division, however bounced again the next season regardless of ending the marketing campaign in third place. World Cup winners Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa arrived for the Lilywhites’ return to the highest flight in 1978.
8. Corinthians
Corinthians are Brazil’s second-most common membership after Flamengo and the Sao Paulo giants received the Serie A title for the fourth time in 2005.
However after dropping the likes of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, Corinthians have been relegated for the primary time in 2007. The Timão bounced again as Serie B winners in 2008.
7. Manchester Metropolis
Manchester Metropolis have been a dominant pressure within the Premier League in recent times and the Sky Blues secured a historic treble triumph below Pep Guardiola in 2022/23.
Metropolis have been relegated 11 occasions from England’s high flight and even dropped right down to the third tier in 1998, finally working their approach as much as grow to be some of the profitable sides within the nation within the 2010s and early 2020s.
6. Chelsea
Trendy soccer followers will know Chelsea as one of many world’s greatest golf equipment, however the Blues have been relegated six occasions of their historical past.
The west London membership went down in 1910, 1924, 1962, 1975, 1979 and 1988. The Blues returned to the highest flight in 1989, simply three years earlier than the beginning of the Premier League, and have been one among England’s most profitable sides since then.
5. AC Milan
Certainly one of Italy’s greatest and most profitable sides, AC MIlan have been relegated twice within the early Eighties and struggled after that till Silvio Berlusconi purchased the membership in 1986.
Defending champions in 1979/80, Milan completed third however misplaced their top-flight standing as a result of their involvement within the Totonero match-fixing scandal. The Rossoneri returned as Serie B winners the next season, however have been relegated once more after ending 14th (out of 16 groups) in 1981/82.
4. Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have been difficult Actual Madrid and Barcelona on the high of LaLiga in latest occasions, however it was not so way back that the Rojiblancos have been relegated.
Simply 4 years after profitable a league and cup double in 1996, Atletico dropped right down to Spain’s Segunda Division after a disastrous marketing campaign during which they misplaced 18 of their 38 matches. The Rojiblancos completed nineteenth and eight days after their relegation was confirmed, in addition they misplaced the Copa del Rey last to Espanyol. Atleti returned to the highest flight on the second time of asking, as champions of Segunda in 2001/02.
3. River Plate
Together with fierce rivals Boca Juniors, River Plate are one among Argentina’s two greatest and most historic golf equipment. Relegation in 2011 was subsequently an enormous deal.
River had been in unhealthy form for some time and at last misplaced their place within the high flight for the primary time of their 110-year historical past following a 1-1 draw at residence to Belgrano de Cordoba. The match needed to be deserted within the last minute as followers invaded the pitch and there have been riots on the streets of Buenos Aires after the sport. River received the title and returned to Primera in 2012.
2. Juventus
Juventus completed first in Serie A in 2005/06 however the Bianconeri have been later stripped of the title because of the Calciopoli scandal and downgraded to twentieth place.
Wire tappings uncovered conversations during which some golf equipment have been accused of choosing beneficial referees. Solely Juventus have been demoted and bounced again right away after a season in Serie B, however did not win the Scudetto once more till 2011/12.
1. Manchester United
Manchester United could also be England’s greatest and hottest membership, however even the Purple Devils have suffered the ignominy of relegation.
United have been relegated 5 occasions in whole for the reason that membership was based in 1978, as soon as below their unique identify Newton Heath LYR FC. The final time got here in 1973/74, simply over 5 years after their maiden European Cup win in 1968, once they completed in twenty first place after dropping 20 matches. They returned to the highest flight as champions in 1975.