West Ham's 14-year stay in the Premier League came to an end on the final day of the season, despite a victory over Leeds at the London Stadium. The win proved meaningless as the club were relegated to the Championship, ending a top-flight tenure that began in 2012.
Jacob Steinberg, joining the Football Weekly podcast panel, discussed the failures behind the club’s decline, the future of the London Stadium and what comes next in the Championship. Meanwhile, the club began its post-relegation clearout by releasing nine players, including January arrival Adama Traore, who departs after a disappointing spell in east London.
“West Ham relegated to Championship despite beating Leeds, with Adama Traore among nine released players.”
The relegation, confirmed by the BBC, marks a bitter end to a season that saw the club struggle to maintain its Premier League status. The Guardian's podcast also noted that West Ham's win over Leeds was ultimately meaningless, as other results condemned them to the drop.
With the Championship now on the horizon, West Ham face a period of rebuilding. The future of the London Stadium, a point of contention among fans, will also be a key issue. The release of nine players signals a significant squad overhaul as the club prepares for life in the second tier.