Eddie Howe has no problem with his squad dreaming about qualifying for Europe under his watch - even if the aim is to make progress step by step at Newcastle United.
United will go into this weekend's encounter with Brentford sitting in a Europa Conference League position and another victory could even nudge Newcastle into a Europa League or Champions League space for the weekend. Understandably, Howe isn't the type of manager to get carried away.
But he is keen to set the standards and while the Europa Conference League has been much maligned since arriving on the scene last season, Howe isn't fussy about how he would become the first Toon boss to lead the team into Europe since Alan Pardew 10 years ago.
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When asked about scraping a Europa Conference League place this season, Howe told Chronicle Live: "Certainly, I would not turn anything down in a sense of achieving things. Playing in European competitions for me is something we need to aspire to.
"We are not afraid of that. Whether we are capable of that, who know? Only time will tell but we need to be consistent in the Premier League. We are in the middle of a really important run before the World Cup.
"There's a lot of games to come so we will go for every game and try to win. I want to manage this club for a long time, but I can't put timescales on things - it's not healthy. Our journey could go one of two ways this season.
"From my experience in my management, magical things can happen - when you don't expect them, if you work hard and everything clicks together. I would never say it can't happen in this time frame or it may take this amount of time, football will decide."
Howe watched on from home as the likes of Arsenal and Man United got to grips with the Europa League and West Ham continued playing in the Europa Conference League. This week alone managers have complained about playing too much while Declan Rice described the schedule as "obscene" for any international player involved in European nights.
Howe said watching European action certainly gives him a taste for Continental competition but can take solace from the fact his squad is not under as much strain. And that was the exact problem the last time Newcastle played in Europe 10 years ago.
Pardew did not have a squad of 22 senior players who he could rotate often enough and when injuries cut in, he was left to field youngsters in crunch Premier League matches.
Howe reflected: "Yes when you are watching the European games there is always part of you that thinks that and elevates yourself and your team into that.
"Sometimes, especially with what has happened to us with injuries, I was probably glad we weren't playing in midweek. We have just had the one game a week to concentrate on. But certainly there will be a time in the future where that (Europe) is a reality for us."
United supremo Yasir Al-Rumayyan stated that the club's plan was to eventually challenge for trophies domestically and abroad. Howe was delighted with the club's vision and said: "I was really pleased he has communicated with the supporters and everybody connected with the club. I think that it was very healthy.
"Yes, the long-term vision is there in black and white. But there's nothing I didn't know, or want for the team and the club or myself. I think it is great that we are all there, supporting the team and supporting the club. It is really important that everybody has a voice as well."
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