The Premier League is widely regarded as the most competitive football league in the world, taking place annually from August to May. Each year, the Premier League takes entertainment to new heights, showcasing some of the best players in the country on the same stage. Alongside the highest level of performance, we also sometimes see underdog stories add extra excitement for all, slaying giants with larger club statures for an impressive league finish. On the other hand, many clubs often fail to meet expectations and provide for their loyal fan bases, for a variety of reasons. In this article, we will cover some of the biggest underachievers in the Premier League in the previous season, and some of the reasons that led to their demise.

Common Reasons For Failure

Many clubs experience seasons of underachievement, which can be a one-off event or the beginning of a decline, depending on various factors. A common factor contributing to an underperforming team in the Premier League season is its involvement in European football. The idea of European football benefits all, offering new experiences for fans with memories to last a lifetime, as well as lucrative sums for the club; however, it also adds additional fixtures. For the league’s best, this is often not an issue as they have crafted their teams smartly in the transfer windows before having sufficient depth to cover all positions. If a team lacks sufficient depth to manage the additional games on the European stage, they can often face a season of negatives due to the increasing workload.

Another contributing factor to a disappointing season for Premier League clubs is poor recruitment in the transfer windows. Each year in English football, two transfer windows provide managers and clubs the perfect chance to bolster their weaknesses and prepare for the season. Despite being the only time clubs can make transfers, some clubs struggle to get deals done in these transfer windows, often leaving them in challenging positions in the highly competitive league.

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Tottenham Hotspur

The club, once renowned for its consistent top-four finishes, experienced a decline in the Premier League, finishing 17th and narrowly avoiding relegation. Since club legend Harry Kane left North London with his sights set on silverware in Germany, Spurs have never looked the same. In the transfer window, Spurs replaced their former striker with Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke for a deal worth £65 million, who could not replicate what they had lost. During the season, fans criticised manager Ange Postecoglou for his resistance to adapting his high-line tactics to the Premier League, with his defensive approach being ineffective. Despite having an underperforming season in the Premier League, Spurs claimed their first European trophy in the UEFA Europa League. Many attribute the disappointing Premier League finish to their full focus on the continental competition, which, in one way, was a success.

Manchester United

The 20-time Premier League winners have had years of underachievement after the retirement of club legend Sir Alex Ferguson. Since his departure, Manchester United has struggled to appoint a manager capable of recreating the same sort of success in the Premier League. The constant change in managers in the Premier League has led to the demise of the English giants, though the previous 24/25 season saw them reach a new low. In his first season after arriving from the Portuguese top flight, manager Ruben Amorin led Manchester United to a disappointing 15th position. This league position marked a significant point in Manchester United’s downfall, as it was the club’s lowest finish in the Premier League.

In the transfer windows of the 24/25 season, Manchester United invested heavily, bringing in over £230 million in signings, with notable names such as Leny Yoro and De Ligt. Despite heavy investment, Manchester United failed to perform in the league; however, they put in a strong run in the UEFA Europa League, only to fall at the last hurdle to Spurs.

West Ham United

West Ham United finished the 24/25 Premier League season in 14th place, which, considering the talent in the squad, is a disappointing end to the Hammers’ season. West Ham began the season under the management of Julen Lopetegui; however, after a poor start, he was dismissed in January. The Hammers appointed Graham Potter, who hoped to get his career back on track after a negative stint at Chelsea, though not much would change. With solid investment, in addition to the already talented squad, West Ham had higher expectations of mid-table or a late European push. Some notable players in the West Ham squad included Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, and Lucas Paqueta, three players who are of a higher calibre than the 14th-placed team in the Premier League. Many of West Ham United’s issues were attributed to changes in managerial style and the team’s defensive issues.

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