5 former Premier League teams who later pummeled into oblivion
With the current rise of Leicester City in the Premier League charts and the subsequent disarray of the defending champions, Chelsea, it makes us simply wonder how many such Premier League teams have risen to the top and have crumbled thereafter. The list however shows plenty of names who had a rags-to-riches story which was culminated by a disastrous season and virtually pummeled them in mere oblivion.Some teams even defied substantial odds to achieve their ultimate dreams and have won the English First Division Title, FA cup and Champions Cup in Europe, yet when luck turned tide, they plummeted with unstoppable deceleration.Here is a list of such top teams, who dominated English football during their prime and later met with unprecedented collapse from their perch.
#1 Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C has twice lifted the English First Division Title, in 1949 and 1950. The Pompey had one of the brightest phases in their history after Harry Redknapp took charge in 2002. The club survived relegation from the top flight for three consecutive seasons, after their promotion in 2003.
In the 2007-2008 season, Portsmouth, with the striking duo of Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch, finished eighth in the table, besides winning the FA Cup. The club also qualified for the Europa League that season.
Redknapp’s departure in the very next season heralded a tailspin for the mid-table giants. Performances went below par as they finished six places below than last time. In 2009, ownership transition saw Alexandre Gaydamak, handing the reins to an Arab businessman, Sulemann Al-Fahim. Gaydamak’s huge investments in 2006-2007 meant the club were soon plunged into dire financial straits.
Under Abraham Grant, they somehow made it to the finals of the FA Cup in 2010, losing to Chelsea.
The downslide was too swift for anyone to realize as Portsmouth fell down the leagues to League One.
The 2012-2013 season saw Portsmouth going through as series of managerial changes after they were fined 10 points for strict financial controls. At the close of that season, Portsmouth were relegated to League Two.
Presently they have the ex-Chesterfield manager Paul Cook as their head with Pompey Supporters Club buying the team.