Victor Orta hopes Newcastle United end their trophy drought this season - and the Sevilla sporting director also wants to draw the Magpies in the Champions League to 'taste the best champagne in England'.
Orta, who is little more than a week into his new role with the Europa League winners, following spells at Leeds United and Middlesbrough, appeared at the Sports Data Forum conference alongside Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth this week. The pair were among those who took part in a discussion on data analysis before Orta revealed his Newcastle 'wishes' in his closing remarks.
Whether it is in the group stages or, potentially, even the knockout stages, Orta has his own particular reason for wanting to come up against Newcastle after previously enjoying the hospitality on offer at St James' Park.
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"Dan, I have two wishes for you," he told Ashworth. "One: we cross paths in the Champions League because the suite of your chairman has the best champagne in England by far. I want to come back.
"Secondly, last year was a final [the Carabao Cup]. This year, I hope there's a trophy for Newcastle because you deserve it."
Sevilla will be in pot one when the Champions League group stage draw is made later this summer. As a result, the La Liga side could meet Newcastle, who will play in the group stage for the first time since 2002, following the Magpies' fourth-placed finish last season.
Although Newcastle's seeding has not been officially confirmed, it is almost certain that Eddie Howe's side will end up in pot four. Teams in the lower pots are seeded based on UEFA's five-year co-efficient score and Newcastle have not played in any European competition whatsoever in 11 seasons.
