There is widespread expectation in the era of balance-shifting parachute payments that teams relegated from the Premier League should bounce back up a season later. For Burnley, who achieved an immediate return after their previous relegation, such a optimism feels misplaced.
Sunday's confirmation of the Clarets' demotion to the second tier after six years in the top flight has been significantly worsened by their perilous position off the field.
Key players are certain to depart, there are uncertainties in the dugout and most concerning of all is the need to repay a substantial percentage of a £65m loan that allowed ALK Capital to take over the club in a much-criticised leveraged buyout in the next few weeks.
