Newcastle United have not changed their stance on the controversial European Super League with sporting director Dan Ashworth and CEO Darren Eales now on board at St James' Park.
Co-owner Amanda Staveley made it clear in May that Newcastle were opposed to the breakaway Euro League and said it would have "damaged the entire game". It is now understood that United support the clubs that are against the Euro League and that a number of clubs have written to the government calling for an independent regulator to "wipe plans off the map" for the new structure.
The company spearheading the Euro League - A22 Sports Management - are now down to just the support of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus. Its Chief Executive Bernd Reichart said recently: "Phase one of my responsibility is to initiate and conduct dialogue.
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"We want to reach out to stakeholders of the European football family and discuss with them openly, honestly, and without the threat of sanctions the underlying problems European football is facing."
But Newcastle will dismiss any interest in joining them. The breakaway clubs wanted to cash in more from European involvement and wanted a league with no relegation - much to the fury of fans and clubs from the EFL.
Clubs like Man City, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal were all initially game for the new breakaway but pulled back when met by stinging public criticism. Newcastle - who are currently in the top four and in a Champions League spot - are the talk of Europe again as they push ahead with new spending power.
The Premier League's big boys opposed the Newcastle takeover with Tottenham leading the protests. But Newcastle have gatecrashed the party for Champions League football with the majority of the squad that were here already.
Eddie Howe has spoken about his players "adhering" to reaching Europe and even if United don't make it this year, there is hope for the future.
Getting to the Champions League in time for the UEFA revamp in the 2024/25 season will appeal to Newcastle's new owners. In two years the Champions League will scrap the mini group stages of the tournament and become a 32-team league table.
It is certainly a format that would look more like a European Super League. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said: "This evolved format will still keep alive the dream of any team in Europe to participate in the UEFA Champions League thanks to results obtained on the pitch and it will enable long-term viability, prosperity, and growth for everyone in European football, not just a tiny, self-selected cartel."
The new set-up will be in line with Ashworth's dream of competing at Newcastle, he said recently: "I want to be a sporting director competing in Europe, for trophies, at the top end of the league."
As things stand the bookies still see Newcastle as outsiders to get into the Champions League this term. Oddschecker currently have Man City, Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs ahead of them in the race.
Eddie Howe won't mind that one bit, and when asked about the top four and managing expectations, he said at the weekend: "We're just happy where we are.
"We're trying to win every game. I'll let you write the headlines!"
Newcastle last played in the Champions League back in 2003 when they were beaten in a qualifier against Partizan Belgrade. They last ventured into the Europa League in 2013 when they lost to Benfica in the quarter-finals.
But after 134 games in UEFA competitions, including the old Intertoto Cup, they certainly have history on the continent and will be eager to take a new generation of fans abroad with them.
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