5 clubs that struggled immediately after winning the Premier League

#3 Blackburn Rovers (1995/96)

Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton fired Blackburn to the Premier League title, but couldn't follow it up

When Blackburn Rovers won the Premier League title in 1994/95, it was almost a precursor to later years when money-fuelled sides like Chelsea and Manchester City were seen to be “buying” their success.

In Blackburn’s case it was local businessman Jack Walker’s money, and he’d used it to sign Chris Sutton for a then-British record £5 million. Sutton formed a deadly partnership with Alan Shearer, the duo scored 49 goals between them, and Blackburn pipped United to the title.

Blackburn didn’t lose any key players in the summer, but they did see a big change at the top. Manager Kenny Dalglish moved into a Director of Football role while his former assistant Ray Harford took control of the team. And right away it seemed disastrous.

An opening day win was followed by four losses and a draw in their next five games, leaving Blackburn way off the pace.By early December a defeat to Coventry City gave them eight losses – one more than they’d had in the entirety of the previous season.

Shearer was still scoring – he hit 37 in the league – but Sutton wasn’t, scoring just one, and despite conceding just eight more goals than in 1994/95, results just didn’t go their way.

The end of the season saw them pick up somewhat – four wins in their last five games – but they could only finish seventh in a truly dismal title defence.