Newcastle 's players and coaching staff will receive lucrative bonuses if the Magpies cap their superb campaign by qualifying for the Champions League.
After Sunday's statement-like 6-1 victory over top-four rivals Tottenham, Eddie Howe 's side are now in a strong position to return to Europe's premier competition for the first time since 2003 next season. Newcastle are currently third in the Premier League table, level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United, who've played one game less.
But the Magpies' ruthless thrashing of Tottenham puts them six points clear of Spurs in fifth, with a game in hand and boasting a far superior goal difference. Newcastle fans are therefore increasingly confident that Howe and co can finish the job over their final seven games, and they'll be handsomely rewarded for doing so.
As reported by The Athletic, the club's owners, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), have already negotiated sizeable bonus clauses for each player and member of coaching staff should the Magpies return to playing European football. Some clubs, like Man Utd, include an automatic 20 or 25 per cent pay rise for reaching the Champions League, whereas Newcastle's salary increases are done on a case-by-case basis.
The club's annual bonus sheet was agreed between PIF and senior players before the start of the 2022-23 season. It also includes added incentives for the playing squad and staff for achieving certain milestones during the campaign.
Howe's men have certainly achieved more than what was expected of them already and should at least still manage a Europa League finish, having had to stave off the threat of relegation last term. But a magnificent turnaround has the Magpies flying high, and going 5-0 up within an unforgettable 21 minutes on Sunday was indicative of their rise.
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Jacob Murphy put Newcastle 1-0 up within two minutes, before a strike from Joelinton and Murphy's second goal of the game made it three on the nine-minute mark. A quick-fire double from Alexander Isak then made it five before Tottenham talisman Harry Kane hit back for Spurs in the second half, only for Callum Wilson to restore the huge margin.
Talk of the Champions League was unavoidable post-match, with midfield maestro Bruno Guimaraes admitting: "Of course we are thinking about it, but let's take it step by step. We can do it, of course, but there's still seven games to go. We started this way, now let's finish the season this way."
Defender and captain Kieran Trippier added: "We should not be shy to say that we want to play Champions League. Today was a massive game and we needed the three points. We have another game around the corner but this club and stadium would be bouncing if we could bring Champions League football here."
