When the post-takeover hangovers had subsided after the many, many October 7th 2021 celebratory parties, attention swiftly turned to what Newcastle United, and their new-found wealth, could *actually* achieve in the future .
Bigger signings, better facilities, much needed improvements behind the scenes and, eventually, real success on the pitch. The initial plan was to progress slowly and steadily. Improve on the season that had gone before and build a solid foundation for the eventual disruption of the Premier League’s apple cart.
Monday’s draw over Leicester, and the incredible 36 games that came before it, put an end to that specific plan. Newcastle United are officially mixing with the bigger clubs in world football once again.
READ MORE: Newcastle United qualify for the Champions League after incredible season
To say Eddie Howe’s side are ahead of schedule is an understatement. The boss himself simply wanted his players to better their league finish of last term, when the former Bournemouth boss only had half a campaign to work his magic. Other players were more ambitious.
Bruno Guimaraes, for example, who was plucked from Ligue 1 to try and aid the Magpies’ survival push, always had European football in his mind. Even when the club were staring another relegation in the face.
"We are going to be a club with big power in world football," Bruno said during his very first interview with the club. "The owners were very up front [when we had talks], that this season the idea is to stay in the Premier League.
“However, in the future, the main objective in the seasons to come, is to be in the Champions League and eventually to win the Champions League."
Even the permanently-positive Brazilian surely would have scoffed at the thought he would be hearing that famous anthem at St James’ Park only 18 months after admitting his love for Europe’s premier competition. Bruno, along with almost all of Howe’s first-team, certainly deserve a crack at the top table.
The way this group of fan-favourites have dismantled and demolished some of England’s best sides has been a joy to watch. A late slip up and subsequently settling for a Europa League campaign would not have done Newcastle justice for their efforts this season.
Of course, this is just he start. The club will continue to build, grow, develop, learn. Next season even more success may come their way. Amanda Staveley certainly hopes so.
The Ripon-born financier has championed her club at every turn since snatching the keys from Mike Ashley in 2021. Her response to this season’s disappointing Carabao Cup final defeat may have earned her friends on Tyneside but was scoffed at further afield.
"We will win the Carabao Cup, we will win the FA Cup, we will win the Champions League and we will win the Premier League,” she stated during an interview on talkSPORT.
Of course, Newcastle haven’t won anything yet... but a Wembley weekend and a top four finish in the space of a few months is some way to go at this stage in the journey.
The bookmakers will no doubt give Newcastle little chance of fulfilling Staveley’s aim next season. But as the Geordie faithful travel to Madrid and Milan or Paris and Porto, there’s always an outside chance if you're in the hat. Stranger things have happened after all.
However, Newcastle’s chances of domestic and continental silverware can be discussed on another day. Monday evening was all about celebrating a fantastic season and the people who aimed the highest from the beginning.
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