Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
Charlie Bennett

‘They’re going places’ - Former Newcastle United coach predicts Champions League finish

Dean Saunders thinks a Champions League finish is inevitable for Newcastle United in the coming years. The Welshman - who had a brief stint as first-team coach at St James’ Park under Graeme Souness - has hailed the turnaround on Tyneside since the Saudi-backed takeover.

Over £200million has been spent on new arrivals in 2022 - a far cry from what was expected during the Mike Ashley era. Eddie Howe has also managed to revitalise several players whose days in the North East looked numbered.

Now, former coach Saunders has tipped his old club to become a European mainstay in the not-so-distant future. Newcastle has already shown they can hold their own against heavyweights Manchester City and Liverpool in recent weeks.

READ MORE: Newcastle transfer bids get brutal club responses and bench 'protect themselves' at Liverpool

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I think Newcastle are going places. It's a matter of time before they get into the top four, the way they're heading.

“They’ve got a bottomless pit of money. If they have an injury crisis in the next few years, they can always throw some money at it. The manager is good and he’s trying to do it gradually. They've got some really good players.

“Dan Burn looks better than anything England have. I think he's really made such a difference to Newcastle's defence. Saint-Maximin looks like a player you wouldn’t want to play against, he’s added a bit of end product to his game.”

READ NEXT

Newcastle transfer was 'moving well' but didn't happen, Al-Rumayyan's 'feeling' and Sesko truth

Everything Eddie Howe said on deadline day, injuries and Palace

Alexander Isak's telling response to Liverpool tackle shut down Paul Merson Newcastle doubt

Eddie Howe and Jurgen Klopp asked about angry Newcastle and Liverpool bench clash on touchline

Eddie Howe's perfect response to boos, Liverpool coach taunts Newcastle bench and objects thrown

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.