The Most Shocking Relegations in Football History

These are the most heartbreaking, shocking and biggest teams relegated ever in football history.

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6. Manchester United - 1973/1974

It's impossible to imagine Manchester United getting relegate six years after winning the European Cup Final in 1968. That's exactly what happened when Manchester United suffered a shocking relegation in 1974 after the club began performing uncharacteristically.

United started the season poorly, George Best left at the beginning of 1974, and they just never recovered. Nobody thought United could get relegated but they became one of the biggest teams relegated ever.

Rubbing salt into the Red Devils wounds was Denis Law - a United legend - turned villian by scoring for City in the last game of the season against United which triggered a chain of events.

It resulted in a pitch invasion, Law's substitution because he was so emotionally distressed from scoring, and a pitch invasion which ended the game and the season prematurely.

United recovered by earning promotion from the Second Division the very next season. It would take United until 1993 to win the league again, Sir Alex Ferguson leading United to 13 Premier League titles in 26 years.

5. Corinthians - 2006/2007

In 2005 Corinthians signed a huge investment deal with Media Sports Investments, the same mob that had third-party ownership over Carlos Tevez. It seemed to pay dividends as they won their fourth title in their history.

After money laundering allegations two years later Corinthians broke off the partnership and as the money ran dry, the club fell into the relegation zone on the back of the crisis.

On the last day of the 2006/07 season a win against Gremio would have ensured safety but a loss sealed their fate and Corinthians became one of the most surprising relegations only two years after winning the Brazilian championship.

A couple seasons later Corinthians returned to the top flight and in 2011 they won the Serie A title to cement themselves atop of Brazilian football again.

4. River Plate - 2010/2011

The fall of one of Argentina's biggest clubs, River Plate, was one of the most shocking relegations ever. At the end end of the 2011 season the club finished within the Primera Division relegation table on the back of crippling debts that sent the club spiralling.

River Plate had an opportunity to avoid a surprising relegation if they could manage to overcome Belgrano de Córdoba in a two-legged playoff. They weren't good enough and lost 3-1 on aggregate, suffering a heartbreaking relegation to the second division for the first time ever since their 1901 founding.

Bitter rivals Boca Juniors were jubilant with River Plate's relegation but it was a huge blow for the league losing the Superclásico, one of the world's fiercest football derbies. River Plate rebounded quickly though and won a record 36th Primera Division title in 2014.

I'll be back tomorrow with the final part of the series...


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14 comments
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Haha... And this season, Everton may well be joining the chorus?

I love that so much as a Liverpool fan 😂

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Haha! It would actually be very shocking indeed. I would miss the Merseyside derby though

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Hahaha... Yeah. That's exactly what Klopp said but for me, these Everton pr*cks have messed with us too much. Haha.

I remember when they injured VVD and it made last season to be crap for us. We were only lucky to qualify for UCL. But, I do hope they bounce back after cooling off in Championship football for a year.

The best part of it is that they will be dragging Frank Lampard down with them 😂😂😂😂

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Hahaha I didn't know about this rich history regarding Manchester United. See the effect of one player. Wow... Most players seem to love going over to City I don't know why. Same with Schmeichel in his short stint.

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Oh I remember how Gary Neville reacted to seeing Schmeichel in the tunnel. I mean, Gary did also give his own brother the cold shoulder when they were opposing captains in the tunnel

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Hahahaha yes. Gary is all about loyalty 🤣🤣😂🤣

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I remember River Plate's relegation very well, it was a very shocking event and as a Boca fan I personally enjoyed it. Great post ! Regards

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Oh I could imagine the joy! Was it somewhat disappointing that the derby game was put on hold for a bit?

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sincerely yes, in spite of being a Boca fan, the league was not the same without River, although I still enjoyed that relegation very much because River fans can say that they are the most winning team in history but in Boca we can say that we have never been relegated and I love that!

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ManU got relegated?! That is some hot sauce there! Would have never thought that a club like this gets relegated. Truely shocking :D

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So this Man Utd problems did not start today, this is only a replay of a better version of what had already happened before.. Oh my dear Man Utd!

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