When you hear whispers among fans — “Has Roma ever been relegated?” — it sounds almost like blasphemy. After all, AS Roma is one of Italy’s proudest clubs, a fixture in Serie A with decades of top-flight history. But the truth is fascinating, a delicate blend of resilience and redemption. In this article, DuitKick will walk you through Roma’s only relegation, the circumstances behind it, and how the Giallorossi bounced right back — painting a story not just of a football club, but of identity, crisis, and revival.
The Myth and the Reality: Roma’s League Status Over Time
A near-continuous presence in Serie A, Roma has competed at the top level in all but one season.
That one exception? The infamous 1951–52 season, when the capital club was temporarily cast down to Serie B. That’s the only time Roma has ever been relegated.
Thus, the answer to “Has Roma ever been relegated?” is yes — but only once, and they wasted no time in returning.
Relegation in 1951: The fall into Serie B
The 1950–51 season is the black mark in Roma’s domestic history. Their performance throughout that campaign was poor: the club finished close to the bottomom, dropping to 19th out of 20 teams in Serie A.
That finish triggered the club’s sole relegation to Serie B for the 1951–52 season. cyclopedia Britannica])
Notably, Roma’s fall was not a prolonged decline — in the very next season (1952–53), they climbed back up to Serie A.
Context: what led to that downfall?
Understanding a single season downturn in a club with mostly stable pedigree demands context:
- Post-war instability — In the years following World War II, many Italian clubs faced financial, infrastructure, and competitive challenges. For Roma, those pressures compounded.
- Poor league form and managerial turbulence — The 1950–51 season saw inconsistent results, a poor start, and multiple coaching changes. One record notes that even after a strong win in early games, the slide could not be reversed.
- Tight margins — Back then, relegation rules were rigid, and dropping just a few points often made the difference between survival and demotion.
So, while it was a dramatic moment, it was not wholly unpredictable given the club’s internal and external pressures at the time.
Roma’s Comeback: The Quick Return to Glory
Immediate promotion
Rather than languish in the second tier, Roma struck back immediately. In the 1951–52 season, the club’s goal was singular: return to Serie A. They achieved this objective, securing top position in Serie B and rejoining the top flight for 1952–53.
Building resilience after relegation
Following their readmission, Roma’s leadership seemed to learn valuable lessons. The club gradually rebuilt competitive strength. Over the next decades, it became a stable, respected force in Serie A — often challenging for European spots, occasionally winning major honors.
Notably, Roma won the Serie A title three times: 1941–42 (before relegation), then 1982–83, and again 2000–01 — reinforcing their identity not as a survivor, but as a champion.
The relegation episode remains a stark contrast in their history — a single scar that reminds fans their present stature was hard-earned.
Was Roma Ever in Danger Since 1951? Relegation Zones & Near Misses
Even though the club was never relegated again, over the years Roma has flirted with danger on multiple occasions. Here are some moments where fans held their breath:
- Early-season dips — There were several seasons where, after 2–3 games, Roma found themselves temporarily in the relegation zone. One source cites that 1950–51 was “the only one in which Roma have ever suffered relegation,” but also references other seasons where they were early in the drop zone.
- 1970s and 1980s turbulence — In a handful of seasons, Roma’s form waned, tactics failed, or injury crises hit. On those occasions, though, they always managed to pull away from danger zones by season’s end.
- Modern seasons — Even in recent decades, when Roma had inconsistent stretches or midtable struggles, they never succumbed to a full relegation spiral.
These “almost moments” have become part of Roma lore — times to test the club’s mettle, but never to let go of their top-flight status.
Why Relegation Was Unthinkable — And Still Is
Historical prestige and expectation
Roma is not a small club. The 1951 relegation remains an inflection point — not a sign of weakness, but of what could be at stake without vigilance.
Continuity, infrastructure, and identity
Over the decades, Roma has built institutional strengths: management stability (relatively speaking), investment in stadium and youth infrastructure, and brand identity that fuels ambition. These guardrails make prolonged decline less likely.
The magnitude of modern clubs
In the modern financialized era of football, big clubs rarely drop — both due to competitive gaps and institutional buffers (TV revenues, sponsorship, brand equity). For Roma, with its established status, a fall from grace would be more than a sporting failure — a reputational disaster.
Quick Facts: Roma’s Relegation History At a Glance
|
Item |
Detail |
|
Total relegations |
1 |
|
Relegated season |
1950–51 (down to Serie B for 1951–52) |
|
Promotion back |
Immediately, 1952–53 season |
|
Serie A record |
Almost continuous presence except that one season |
|
Major trophies after |
Serie A titles (1982–83, 2000–01), multiple domestic cups, European success |
Conclusion
Yes — Roma has been relegated, but only once, in the 1950–51 season. That solitary descent into Serie B is a unique chapter in the club’s epic tale, a stark reminder that even giants can stumble. But more telling is how Roma reacted: swift recovery, renewed ambition, and a return to form that lasted decades.
For fans wondering “Has Roma ever been relegated?” — the concise answer lies in the 1951 drop, and in all the seasons since, Rome’s indomitable spirit ensured it would never be repeated.
Now that you know the full story, DuitKick invites you to explore more: check out Roma’s best seasons, greatest players, or compare their rarer stumble with other storied clubs that have faced relegation. Want a deep dive into Roma’s top scorers or legendary matches? Just say the word, and we’ll journey further into the Giallorossi saga together.
