On March 16, 2025, Newcastle United’s long wait for silverware came to a close. A 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium sparked wild scenes of celebration.
Having gone 56 years without claiming a major honour, and 70 on the domestic front, the Magpies finally found themselves back in the winners’ enclosure. Emotion poured out of a loyal fan base at the home of English football.
The challenge now, of course, is to build on that success and ensure that another half-century does not pass before further additions are made to the trophy cabinet at St James’ Park. Domestic and European competition is back on the agenda.
Ruffle a few feathers
Newcastle remain very much in the ‘walk before you can run’ stage, with Champions League odds in 2025-26 pricing them at 33/1 to land the most prestigious of continental prizes. Eddie Howe’s side are, however, competitive at that level, with Champions League tips suggesting that a first run to the knockout stages can be enjoyed.
That would represent another positive step in the right direction, with the Magpies eager to ruffle a few feathers at home and abroad. They have become perennial challengers for top-four finishes in the Premier.
Such a standing felt like a distant dream less than 10 years ago, with promotion back into the top-flight last secured in 2017. Newcastle have come a long way since then, on and off the field.
A stunning takeover in October 2021 allowed the Toon Army to believe, rather than hope, that a bright future was being mapped out. All of a sudden, marquee transfer deals and regular trophy tilts were no longer wishful thinking.
It was quickly pointed out that talk of moves for the likes of Kylian Mbappe and other global superstars had Newcastle fans wandering around in “dreamland”, with there no magic wand to be waved on Tyneside.
While owners with deep pockets had been found, caution was urged as “you can’t just buy success” warnings were sounded. Those words were uttered by former Magpies and England defender Jonathan Woodgate.
He sought to keep collective feet on the ground, with excitement getting the better of many, with a blueprint for long-term success being drawn up. Newcastle were told: “It will take 10-12 years, they have to win an FA Cup, League Cup before the Premier League and Champions League.”
The Ultimate End Goal
That was a fair point. Amid all of the hype that surrounded St James’ Park, the odd dose of sensibility and realism was required. There was every reason to dream big, but patience was always going to be required en route to reaching the ultimate end goal.
Newcastle have, however, begun the process of ticking the boxes drawn up by Woodgate. One shiny addition has been made to the mantelpiece, with the promise of more to come.
Having been made aware of what is required in order to become challengers for the grandest of prizes, maybe the words of a Mystic Magpie will ring true as FA Cup glory follows and the Magpies soar towards the top of English and European football.
