Historic comebacks in top-flight leagues 🏆 | OneFootball

The Real Oviedo, a legendary club from northern Spain, has achieved the unthinkable: 24 years after its relegation, it is back in the first division! Having fallen to the 4th division in the 2000s, it survived thanks to its supporters and a buyout by a Mexican billionaire. This weekend, it secured its ticket to La Liga after an epic playoff victory, in a stadium ablaze with excitement.

Like them, several clubs have made an unexpected comeback after years (or decades) of struggle.

Here are the most notable stories 👇

🔴 Nottingham Forest (England) – The return of the European champions

Nottingham Forest, double European champion (1979, 1980), wandered for a long time in the Championship (English D2), even in League One (D3). Their promotion in 2022 was hailed as a return of a monument of English football.

⚪ Leeds United (England) – Rebirth after the fall

Another great figure of English football, Leeds experienced a dizzying descent, including financially. The work of Marcelo Bielsa allowed the club to regain its place among the elite with a spectacular game.

🔵 Le Havre AC (France) – The oldest club finally back

Le Havre, founded in 1872, is the dean of French football. After many years of stagnation in Ligue 2, the Norman club finally moved up in 2023, with a project based on training and stability.

❤️💛 RC Lens (France) – A brilliant ascent

Lens didn't just return to Ligue 1: it established itself there. Thanks to a loyal public, intelligent management, and clever recruitment, the Sang et Or made a smashing return to the national and European scene.

🟢🟠 Venezia FC (Italy) – Between lagoon and resilience

A club with unique charm, located in the floating city of Venice, Venezia FC has long navigated between the lower divisions. Their return to Serie A was experienced like a fairy tale, despite a quick relegation afterwards.

This article was written with the help of AI.

Also read:

- 🔎 The recap: series of comebacks, a crazy Saturday in the Club World Cup!

- Club World Cup: what you need to know before the 9th day

- Euro U19 (F) 2025: the semi-finals schedule, France facing a European giant

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 FRANCOIS LO PRESTI