How will relegated trio fare in the Championship?

West Ham United

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.

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.

The whole process around the sale of Gold’s shares could take two months, well into the new season.

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.

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 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.

Off the field though, the headlines surrounding the club have been a cause of concern and it is not unreasonable to believe 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

How did they get here?

Burnley have been on the promotion-swiftly-followed-by-relegation rollercoaster for a few seasons now.

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.

Last season’s Premier League campaign proved to be their toughest season yet, ending with a mere four wins – just 22 points – to their name.

What has happened this summer?

Burnley’s former boss Scott Parker left by mutual consent back in April and the timing of appointing his replacement has left many fans concerned.

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.

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.

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 wishlist.

New signing Ugo Raghouber fits that profile perfectly – he’s a defensive midfielder who is known for breaking up attacks and he’s good in the air.

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.

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 30, including veteran defender and former England international Kyle Walker.

Castell shows plenty of promise but, at just 19, is still very much in 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?

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.

Walker targets instant Burnley top-flight return

Wolverhampton Wanderers

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.

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.

However, the goodwill over Jimenez’s return quickly faded with the sacking of Edwards days later and his replacement with little-known Portuguese head coach Cesar Peixoto, external.

That change also seemed to stall Wolves’ ambitious start to the transfer window.

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.

All of this is just 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 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.

What is the expectation this season?

Wolves will be hoping lightning strikes twice and that, as with 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.

It’s a new era, the past is the past – Peixoto

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.