Newcastle are one of the most storied clubs in English football and now have ambitions to make serious progress in Europe. The Magpies are competing in the Champions League for the second time in three seasons taking on heavyweights of the continent including Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Milan. Both players and fans alike are eager to make their mark and put Newcastle on the map as regulars in continental competition.
So, how did the Magpies get to this point of regularly playing in the Champions League? This is the story of their proud climb as they embark on a project to win trophies on an annual basis, both at home and abroad.
Renewed Hope and Ambition
To get the full picture of Newcastle’s current position and why supporters have such renewed hope and ambition for the future, you have to go back several years. Under the previous ownership, which dated back to 2007, the Magpies had some memorable moments, particularly finishing fifth in 2012 but overall, it was a time of struggle and strife. Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League on two occasions and overall, the fanbase grew more and more frustrated at a perceived stagnation after finishing 13th during successive seasons between 2019 and 2020.
Then, in 2020, fans got the news they had been longing for – Newcastle would have new owners following a takeover by a consortium. This was concluded in October 2021 and supporters could look forward to change of plan and focus, with long-term aims to challenge the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool at the top of the table.
Now, with the Magpies improved, football enthusiasts know that according to most betting odds Newcastle are 20/1 to win the Champions League this season, so they are Currenlty dark horses, but The Toon going all the way is not impossible.
Renewed Hope and Ambition
With a new takeover comes fresh investment and a refocus on the aims of the club. Shortly after Newcastle’s new owners arrived, manager Steve Bruce left his position by mutual consent and the club moved to appoint Eddie Howe who was a young boss with a growing and respected reputation in the game. The former centre-back had taken Bournemouth from the fourth tier to the Premier League where he ensured they were competitive.
What’s more, the club also moved to enhance the playing squad and made smart recruitment decisions in the transfer market. Newcastle made moves for some of the top, most highly-rated players in Europe with Bruno Guimares, Sandro Tonali, Alexander Isak and Sven Botman among some of the names to arrive at St James’ Park. The Magpies also signed domestic, bringing in the likes of Kieran Tripper, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon to boost the playing squad.
Climbing the Table
By improving the playing squad, Newcastle made some swift improvements and changed the mindset and mentality around the club. Now, rather than simply making up the numbers in the Premier League, the Magpies started to earn some impressive results and started to climb the table. In 2022, Newcastle finished 11th but then followed this up with fourth place and qualification for the Champions League. Since then, Howe’s men have finished 7th and 4th and now regularly compete with the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United as opposed to languishing in mid-table.
In the coming seasons, Newcastle will hope to not only qualify for Europe’s premier competition via fourth or fifth place but to enter the tournament as champions of England. For now it may still be a dream with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City dominating the top three positions in recent seasons but it’s a long-term ambition the Magpies could achieve if they continue to invest wisely and bring star names to the North-East.
Champions League Qualification
Newcastle competed in the Champions League back in the 2023/24 campaign and it allowed the fans a chance to dream of European success after so many years out of competitions on the continent. In the group stage, the Magpies had a difficult draw but facing Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-German gave supporters some incredible trips abroad to watch matches in some of the most iconic stadiums on the planet.
Newcastle kicked off the campaign and earned a point at the San Siro. Then came the highlight of the campaign as 52,000 fans cheered on the team to beat PSG 4-1 at St James’ Park. Beating a side featuring Kylian Mbappe, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Ousmane Dembele showed the club had made giant strides. Newcastle lost to Dortmund home and away though fans did have chance to experience the Signal Iduna Park, a far cry from facing playing in the second tier of English football.
Though Newcastle ultimately finished bottom of what was a really difficult group, the Magpies now knew that facing Europe’s best was the standard they wanted to maintain on an annual basis.
Past European Trips
The Champions League campaign in 2023/24 was Newcastle’s first foray into Europe since reaching the Europa League quarter-finals in 2013. Also competing in the UEFA Cup on three occasions between 2004 and 2007, the Magpies played in the Champions League in 2002 where they beat Juventus, Dynamo Kiev and Bayer Leverkusen.
While clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool have enjoyed success on the continent, Newcastle are no strangers to competing at this level though now, under this leadership, the Magpies will be determined to play at this level more regularly and lift their own trophy in Europe.
Silverware at Last
Though Newcastle have a hugely vocal and passionate and fanbase and regularly play in England’s top division, the club kicked off last season having not won a domestic trophy since 1955. However, that 70-year wait finally came to an end in March 2025 as the Magpies beat Liverpool at Wembley to lift the League Cup. Generations of Newcastle fans finally had a trophy to celebrate and now the record has been broken and the club knows the feeling of success again, the next win will be that little bit easier to achieve having overcome that giant hurdle.
This Season
Newcastle are again in the Champions League after finishing fifth last season and have already beaten Benfica, Union Saint-Gilloise and Athletic Bilbao in the newly formatted league phase of the competition.
Overall, this is a time for Magpies everywhere to dream and take great pride in the team. That’s because the future looks bright for Newcastle as the club continues to invest and grow.
