What It Takes to Stay Up: An In-depth Look At Teams Who Have Survived in the Premier League
Surviving in the Premier League as a newly promoted team is no small feat. Since 1992, nearly 40% of promoted teams have gone straight back down, highlighting the unforgiving nature of England’s top flight. To defy the odds, clubs must balance tactical innovation, smart recruitment, and managerial adaptability.
The case of Southampton under Russell Martin in the 2024-2025 season serves as a stark reminder of how sticking to a possession-based style can be risky. Martin’s sacking after a 5-0 defeat to Tottenham on December 15, 2024, underscored the perils of a rigid tactical approach without the requisite squad quality or adaptability.
Nottingham Forest, Brentford, and Bournemouth have each demonstrated distinct survival strategies in recent years, offering a blueprint for other promoted sides to follow. While their methods vary, these clubs share key principles that have been essential to their success.
1. Recruitment: The Foundation of Survival
Promoted teams face the daunting task of assembling a squad that can compete in the Premier League without jeopardizing financial stability. Forest, Brentford, and Bournemouth provide examples of different approaches to recruitment.
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Nottingham Forest: Quantity Over Continuity
After earning promotion in 2022, Nottingham Forest embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive, signing 29 players across two transfer windows. This unprecedented spending spree was driven by the need to replace several loanees and out-of-contract players from their promotion-winning squad.
- Key signings: Morgan Gibbs-White became the creative linchpin, while seasoned campaigners like Keylor Navas (on loan) and Serge Aurier added experience.
- Impact: While some transfers underperformed, the sheer depth allowed Forest to rotate, experiment tactically, and adapt to the rigors of the Premier League.
Brentford: Analytics-Driven Efficiency
Brentford’s recruitment model is methodical and data-driven. Even before their promotion in 2021, the club’s “Moneyball” approach focused on undervalued talent and long-term squad building.
- Key signings: Ivan Toney was brought in pre-promotion and has since become a talisman, while players like Vitaly Janelt and Christian Nørgaard have been integral to their success. Post-promotion, experienced additions such as Ben Mee and dynamic youngsters like Aaron Hickey continued to enhance the squad.
- Sustainability: Brentford’s incremental approach has not only ensured survival but also allowed them to challenge mid-table sides without overspending.
Bournemouth: Quality Over Quantity
In contrast, Bournemouth’s recruitment strategy has focused on targeted spending rather than large-scale squad overhauls.
- Key signings: Marcus Tavernier and Marcos Senesi addressed key weaknesses, while Dango Ouattara provided attacking flair.
- Impact: By avoiding high-profile risks and prioritizing squad harmony, Bournemouth built a cohesive unit that performed consistently across the season.
2. Tactical Identity: Adapting to Thrive
The step up from the Championship to the Premier League requires significant tactical adjustments. Forest, Brentford, and Bournemouth have each demonstrated the importance of balancing core identity with pragmatic evolution.
Nottingham Forest: Pragmatic Adaptation
Nottingham Forest’s tactical evolution under Steve Cooper and later Nuno Espírito Santo highlights the need for flexibility.
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- Cooper’s approach: In their promotion campaign, Cooper focused on a compact, defense-first setup. However, the Premier League’s intensity required him to experiment with various formations, such as 5-3-2 and 4-3-3.
- Nuno Espírito Santo: Appointed in December 2023, Nuno brought Premier League experience and a more pragmatic, counter-attacking style. His tactical adjustments, emphasizing defensive solidity, were instrumental in securing survival.
Brentford: Flexibility and Set-Piece Mastery
Brentford, under Thomas Frank, have emerged as one of the Premier League’s most tactically versatile teams.
- Innovation: Frank’s side switches formations based on opponents, often leveraging set-piece routines and high pressing to gain an edge.
- Impact: This adaptability has allowed Brentford to consistently outperform expectations, solidifying their position as a mid-table force.
Bournemouth: From Parker to Iraola
Bournemouth’s tactical evolution began with the sacking of Scott Parker just four games into their 2022/23 campaign. Parker’s public criticism of the club’s lack of investment, coupled with a humiliating 9-0 loss to Liverpool, led to his dismissal.
- Gary O’Neil’s impact: Tasked with steadying the ship, interim boss Gary O’Neil embraced a more pragmatic approach, focusing on defensive organization and counter-attacking football. His success in keeping Bournemouth up earned him a permanent contract.
- Iraola’s arrival: Despite O’Neil’s success, Bournemouth’s hierarchy opted for a more progressive vision by appointing Andoni Iraola in 2023. Known for his high-pressing, dynamic style at Rayo Vallecano, Iraola’s tactics aim to transition Bournemouth from survivalists to a more ambitious, attack-minded team.
3. Managerial Expertise: The Key to Success
The role of a manager is pivotal in shaping the survival prospects of a promoted team. Whether it’s sticking with a promotion-winning coach or bringing in new leadership, the right managerial fit can make all the difference.
Nottingham Forest: Betting on Experience
Nottingham Forest’s decision to hire Nuno Espírito Santo mid-season reflected their ambition to leverage his Premier League pedigree.
- Tactical pragmatism: Nuno focused on tightening the defense while exploiting transitions, which proved crucial in securing points against stronger sides.
Brentford: Faith in Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank’s leadership has been the cornerstone of Brentford’s success.
- Continuity and innovation: Frank’s ability to blend data-driven recruitment with tactical ingenuity has allowed Brentford to punch above their weight. His set-piece strategies and pressing systems exemplify modern coaching excellence.
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Bournemouth: A Progressive Gamble
Bournemouth’s managerial journey reflects their evolving ambitions.
- Gary O’Neil: His no-nonsense approach helped the team navigate a challenging survival campaign.
- Andoni Iraola: The Spaniard’s appointment signals Bournemouth’s intent to transition from mere survival to mid-table contention, with high-intensity football at its core.
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Conclusion: A Blueprint for Survival
The stories of Nottingham Forest, Brentford, and Bournemouth demonstrate that surviving in the Premier League is about more than just spending money or sticking rigidly to a single philosophy.
- Forest leaned on depth and defensive pragmatism under Nuno Espírito Santo.
- Brentford relied on data-driven recruitment and Thomas Frank’s tactical adaptability.
- Bournemouth balanced managerial pragmatism under Gary O’Neil with Iraola’s progressive vision.
For future promoted teams, the message is clear: survival requires a dynamic approach tailored to the league’s unique challenges. Adaptation, smart investments, and visionary leadership are the foundations for success in one of football’s toughest competitions.
By: @Declan3013
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Getty Images