Three sides with substantial Premier League pedigree - West Ham United, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers - begin life in the Championship this weekend, all hoping to avoid the fate suffered by Leicester City and Southampton last term, when only Ipswich Town of the relegated clubs managed an immediate return to the top flight.
West Ham drop into the second tier for the first time in 14 years after a torrid run of form, including four defeats in their final five Premier League matches, saw them relegated after finishing below Tottenham Hotspur in a tense fight for survival. The Hammers' summer has been dominated by off-field turmoil rather than transfer business. A BBC Panorama and Times investigation examined allegations of sexual misconduct against co-owner David Sullivan, which he strongly denies. Meanwhile, co-chair Vanessa Gold confirmed her family intends to sell its shares to a consortium fronted by former Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley, though fellow co-chair Daniel Kretinsky's sale of a small stake to businessman Jakub Havrlant could allow him to exercise pre-emption rights and buy Gold's shares himself. The process may drag on for two months into the new campaign.
On the pitch, West Ham retain captain Jarrod Bowen, who was their leading scorer in the Premier League last season and should prove a handful for Championship defences. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is the only manager among the three relegated clubs with prior EFL experience, having guided Wolves to the Championship title in 2017-18. West Ham opened with a 3-1 League Cup win over Portsmouth and will be watched closely when they face Burnley on the opening weekend at the London Stadium, which at a capacity of 62,500 will be the largest ground the division has ever seen. Bookmakers have installed the Hammers as favourites for the title.
Burnley return to the Championship for the fourth time since 2014, having again failed to consolidate top-flight status, finishing with just four wins and 22 points last season. Manager Scott Parker departed in April, and after talks with Wales boss Craig Bellamy broke down over backroom staff arrangements, the Clarets turned to Genk's Nicky Hayen. The Belgian favours possession-based, direct attacking football, and Burnley have already recruited with that in mind, signing defensive midfielder Ugo Raghouber and 19-year-old forward Lluc Castell - continuing owner Alan Pace's preference for younger recruits since his takeover in 2020. Experienced defender Kyle Walker remains part of a squad that has seen 12 departures this summer. Burnley have a strong recent record of bouncing straight back from relegation, though their repeated yo-yoing between divisions raises questions about long-term sustainability.
Wolves endured a miserable Premier League campaign, finishing bottom, 21 points from safety, having gone winless in their first ten matches under Vitor Pereira. Rob Edwards took over in November and secured a solitary highlight win over West Ham in January, but it proved too little too late. This summer, owners Fosun brought in full-back Kieran Trippier, retained midfielder Andre and re-signed forward Raul Jimenez, appearing to address years of frustration among supporters over player sales. However, the mood soured when Edwards was sacked shortly after Jimenez's return and replaced by little-known Portuguese coach Cesar Peixoto, whose appointment stalled the club's transfer plans. Peixoto, known for attacking, high-press football in Portugal, is untested in English football, though he inherits senior figures in Trippier and Jimenez alongside promising teenager Mateus Mane. Wolves begin their campaign against Blackburn Rovers on Friday, with fans hoping history repeats itself after Nuno's title-winning debut season back in 2017-18.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.