I really think Relegation should be considered by the developers; players get older, they don't gain 20% in the way we lose it leveling up. Only the bottom 2 teams should have this happen, but it would make trying to finish 9th - 12th more risky. Wages stay the same, but attendance,pricing of tickets etc would require them to retune their finances.
An alternative would be the developers recognizing managers who REPEATEDLY use this "tactic" have young star players leave the club, just as in real life!