Sunderland were promoted via the play-offs in 2025 (Image: PA)
SUNDERLAND
There are clear comparisons to draw between Ipswich and Sunderland. Two big clubs who got sucked into the doldrums of League One and struggled to get out, with ambitious owners helping to secure promotion up to the Premier League.
In Sunderland’s case, it took some time. The Black Cats spent a couple of seasons in the second tier (sixth place finish and play-off defeat in 2022/23, then 16th-place finish in 2023/24) before hunting automatic promotion in 2024/25.
When it became clear that they would finish behind Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United, they rested players in the run-in, keeping them fresh for the play-offs. There, last-gasp goals helped them see off Coventry City in the semi-finals and Sheffield United in the final at Wembley, returning to the Premier League.
The Black Cats have had a strong return to top-flight football (Image: PA)
STORY OF THE SEASON
Sunderland flexed their financial muscles over the summer. Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi and Brian Brobbey all cost significant transfer fees. Others, like Granit Xhaka, Nordi Mukiele and Reinidlo, were poached from top European clubs and will be on extremely high wages for a newly-promoted club.
But, as far as we know, the Black Cats have done things by the book and have pushed PSR restrictions as far as possible without breaches. In qualifying for the Europa League - an incredible achievement - they will be able to spend big again this summer.
There was an instant impact on opening day, a 3-0 win at home to West Ham, the perfect fixture for a side like Sunderland too begin with. It gave them confidence, despite the odd defeat here and there at the start of the campaign. Late victory at Stamford Bridge showed that they weren’t looking to make up the numbers.
Becoming incredibly hard to beat ensured that safety felt inevitable by the halfway point in the season. They navigated a tricky winter period during AFCON, which meant that a run of poor form around February had little impact on the table.
Sunderland’s end-of-season form was a bit erratic at times, but they steadied the ship with eight points from their final four games to sneak ahead of Brighton and Brentford to qualify for the Europa League.
Boss Regis Le Bris has been tipped as a Manager of the Season contender (Image: PA)
WHAT TOWN CAN LEARN
It’s hard to replicate what Sunderland have done in the transfer market. They spent heavily, transformed their team and recruited top-level players that most newly-promoted sides could never attract. It helps having a colossal stadium and a reputation of being an established Premier League side prior to suffering back-to-back relegations.
Nonetheless, their approach shows the importance of recruiting from abroad. It’s difficult to sign quality from other Premier League teams and asking Championship players to make the step up is really tough, as we now know.
In fact, the only bit of incoming transfer business that Sunderland did with another English club – at least on a permanent basis – was Simon Adingra from Brighton. He was loaned out to AS Monaco for the second half of the season.
Beyond that, Sunderland struck up a perfect balance on the pitch. Regis le Bris is an excellent tactician. While he clearly enjoys the attacking side of the game, he’s aware of what the Premier League is.
On the one hand, we’ve seen lovely free-flowing football from the Black Cats, showcasing the excellent players at their disposal, often in an open and expansive 4-4-2. On the other hand, we’ve seen them switch to a 5-4-1, operating a low block, soaking up pressure and striking on the counter.
Ipswich didn’t find that balance in their last Premier League season. They will need to this time.
Leeds hit 100 points in their last Championship campaign (Image: PA)
LEEDS UNITED
Leeds took a slightly different path back to the Premier League. We all remember Town finishing above them to secure automatic promotion in 2023/24, with Southampton toppling them at Wembley to ensure another year of Championship football.
But Daniel Farke’s side didn’t let that happen again, finishing top of the table with 100 points in 2024/25, just ahead of Burnley on goal difference. Leeds were totally dominant in that campaign, conceding very few chances and scoring for fun.
It gave them a clear springboard to return to the top flight after two seasons away.
The Whites reached the FA Cup semi-final while securing Premier League safety (Image: PA)
STORY OF THE SEASON
Despite an opening-day victory against Everton, it felt like Leeds would be heading back down to the Championship. A relegation battle looked set early on, with Burnley and Wolves alongside them. Fans quickly highlighted the lack of transfer business, which was also a frustration for Farke, per reports.
Every win, every feint glimmer of hope, was obliterated by a run of three or fours defeats afterwards. The Whites were too open and didn’t have enough firepower in attack. Showing that in glimpses against the likes of Wolves and West Ham wasn’t going to be enough.
Coming into the end of November, pressure was heaped on Farke. His side were 2-0 down to Man City at the Etihad Stadium when he opted to change from his preferred 4-1-4-1 formation to a 3-5-2, taking off his wingers for a centre-back and a striker.
Leeds rallied and easily could have taken a point from the game. That second-half performance changed their season. They stuck with it, beating Chelsea and Crystal Palace while earning credible draws against the likes of Brentford, Sunderland, Liverpool (twice) and Man United.
Their momentum never faded, really. It took them to the semi-final of the FA Cup and guided them to safety, ending up well clear of the relegation zone.
Daniel Farke changed formations in the first half of the campaign (Image: PA)
WHAT TOWN CAN LEARN
I think Ipswich’s transfer business will be a middle ground between Leeds and Sunderland. That being said, the Whites’ foreign recruitment has also been really strong, without spending more than £18m on a single player. That's good business.
Anton Stach has been excellent, as have Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Noah Okafor. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the stand-out, comfortably hitting double digits for goals following his free transfer from Everton. His experience has been vital.
There are clear similarities between Farke and Kieran McKenna, looking at their preferred approach to football, their success and certain areas where they might be deemed stubborn. Farke knew that changes were needed or he’d be sacked – switching from his 4-1-4-1 formation to a 3-5-2 was a gamble that paid off.
I really think that Ipswich should consider switching to a back three / five, just to give them an extra body at the back that would allow their attacking talent to thrive without worrying about off-ball work to the same extent.
Leeds are also an example of how height and physicality are key. They scored 16 goals from set pieces, the sixth most in the division, ahead of both Manchester City and Chelsea.