Why Sunderland Will Not Suffer 'Second Season Syndrome' In 2026/27 - comment

Given their incredible last season, which saw newly-promoted Sunderland finish seventh in their first season back in the Premier League after an eight-year absence and qualify for the Europa League, the Black Cats now become contenders to suffer the dreaded 'second season syndrome'.

This footballing phenomenon centres around the believed increased likelihood and historic instances of a promoted side succeeding in their first season back in the top flight, but going on to have a severe drop off in form and facing relegation in the second season.

Potentially, this may occur for a number of factors, whether that be; opposition becoming more tactically aware of the team, the surprise factor fading away, strain on the squad as a result of increased competitions and fixture demand, as well as higher expectations from on-lookers, supporters, or those internally.

The most recent example of second season syndrome in the Premier League would be that of Sheffield United, who finished ninth in their first season back among England's elite in 2019/20, only to finish rock-bottom in 20th in the following top flight campaign.

Despite this recent glaring example regarding the side that Sunderland beat at Wembley to clinch promotion back to the Premier League last year, there are a plethora of indicators as to why the Black Cats will not suffer the same second-season fate as the Blades did in 2020 in the upcoming campaign.

First of all, the likelihood of second season syndrome even occurring, before analysing the current state of Sunderland in this example, has been overblown by some sections of the contemporary football media landscape.

In data collated by BBC Sport, just four of the previous 20 promoted sides (20%) that finished in the top half in their first season back in the Premier League went on to be relegated in their second, with the aforementioned most recent example being Sheffield United.

Furthermore, history favours Sunderland further given that the Black Cats are the 10th promoted side in Premier League history to qualify for European football, and just two of those previous sides went on to suffer demotion following the extra European fixtures.

Giving further promise to Sunderland, Wolves provided the hopeful example after they qualified for Europe in 2019 following their promotion back to the Premier League and went on to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and secured a seventh-placed top flight finish in the process.

Increased calibre of competition, fixture congestion and demands on a young squad mean that second season syndrome remains a contingency for Regis Le Bris' side next season, but the current state of the Stadium of Light project has dramatically reduced the odds.

Over the summer, Sunderland have thus retained every talented player who had a crucial role in last season's remarkable feat, namely captain Granit Xhaka, following Chelsea's failed pursuit of the Black Cats metronome.

Additionally, the young yet supremely talented core of Le Bris' squad are now a Premier League season more experienced and knowledgeable, which will only be a benefit heading into an inevitably testing season.

Also, with the signing of veteran defender Thomas Meunier and the imminent £25.7m arrival of Dayann Methalie to Sunderland from Toulouse, the Stadium of Light hierarchy have added sufficient quality to an already impressive and stable squad, with further marquee signings set to come before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

Sunderland's squad harmony, the coaching acumen of Le Bris, and the rigorous support from the Black Cats faithful all combined perfectly last season to achieve such an unexpected and outstanding finish, but one that was certainly no fluke.

Now, Le Bris' Sunderland squad have both the ingredients and opportunity to silence their doubters once again, and not only survive the potential second season syndrome, but to thrive amid their Premier League return and Europa League venture.