Why Wolves’ relegation to League one may be a blessing in disguise

Wolverhampton Wanderers will start the 2013/2014 football season in league one following their relegation from the Championship last season. However the consecutive relegations from the Premier League and the Championship may spark a Wolves’ revival and should take inspiration from current Premier League clubs such as Norwich City and Southampton.

Following a 2-0 defeat to Brighton on the last day of the season, Wolves were relegated to League One, only a year after being relegated from the Premiership. This successive relegation meant Wolves became the first team in the history of the football league to be relegated successively from the top tier to the third tier of English football twice. This sparked fans protesting and wrecking advertising boards around the stadium.

Amidst Wolves’ downfall have been their managerial changes, with no less than employing three managers after the departure of long term boss Mick McCarthy in February 2012. These unsuccessful managers have been Terry Connor, Stale Solbakken and Dean Saunders, with the experienced ex-Millwall manager Kenny Jackett now taking the helm. At the start of the 2011/2012 season Wolves were looking forward to trips to Old Trafford and Anfield, now they face trips to Shrewsbury and Port Vale.

However, Wolves can take inspiration from clubs such as Norwich and Southampton who have been relegated to League One and are now enjoying their time in the Premiership. After being relegated from the Premier League in 2005, Norwich was then relegated from the Championship four years later. However, in 2010 they won League One and a year later finished 2nd in the Championship and was promoted to the Premiership. The relegation to the third tier of football seemed to spark a revival at Norwich and with back to back promotions Premiership football is now at Carrow Road.

Southampton was the next to complete this feat. In 2005 Southampton were relegated from the Premiership after 13 years. Then after four years in the Championship, Saints was relegated from the Championship. After going into administration and winning the Football League trophy they were then promoted back to the Championship in 2011. Southampton only spent one season in the Championship after, like Norwich, finishing second.

Although no one wants to be relegated successively, this does not spell the end for Wolves as such. With an experienced manager like Kenny Jackett now being at the helm Wolves will be favourites to not only get promoted first time but also will be in the mix to win the league title. If they do so, they may imitate the success of Norwich and Southampton respectively.

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