It is a prospect that feels a long way away after Sunday's 5-1 defeat against Spurs, but it was only a couple of months ago that Bruno Guimaraes vowed that Newcastle United were 'going to be a big power in world football' at his unveiling. The club's owners did not disguise the fact that Newcastle's immediate priority was to stay up, but they also made it clear to the Brazil international that the Magpies' long-term goal was to qualify for the Champions League and to one day win it.
Others will join Bruno, Kieran Trippier et al in sharing that dream this summer and Newcastle have been fishing in a very different pond since the takeover last October. So much so, even Villarreal boss Unai Emery was tempted to swap life in the Champions League for an immediate relegation battle last November.
Emery's name was right at the top of the list of the dozens of managers the hierarchy and their advisers analysed during a thorough search across the globe after Steve Bruce was sacked last October and it was easy to see why. Emery has won 11 trophies to date, including the Europa League on four occasions, and the Spaniard previously managed in the Premier League with Arsenal.
