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What Newcastle United’s board have just reminded Eddie Howe about as season target made clear

Lucas Arnold

Wed 4 December 2024 12:15, UK

• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

After finishing seventh last season, Newcastle United failed to return to the Champions League and missed out on European football altogether. 

Alexander Isak’s 21 Premier League goals weren’t enough for Newcastle to finish in the top six, who narrowly missed out to Chelsea.

This season, Eddie Howe’s side are finding it even more difficult to compete at the top – there’s currently very little sign of a return to European football.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
10	FulhamFulham	13	5	4	4	18	18	0	19
11	NewcastleNewcastle	13	5	4	4	14	14	0	19
12	Aston VillaAston Villa	13	5	4	4	19	22	-3	19

That being said, TBR Football understands that Howe has been reminded about his minimum expectations for the 2024/25 season.

Eddie Howe told that Newcastle must qualify for Europe this season

Newcastle have told Howe that a top six finish would be needed this season after the club’s failure to secure continental football last term.

The club’s hierarchy would be loath to miss out on playing European football again as it could make keeping their prized assets very difficult, the likes of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes.

Isak was left ‘shocked’ in Newcastle contract talks recently, and has been linked with a host of clubs in recent months.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have scouted Bruno Guimaraes, another player Newcastle did well to keep hold of last summer.

And despite signing a new deal in recent months, Anthony Gordon is still on Liverpool’s wishlist, an England international with so much potential.

Will Newcastle spend in January transfer window?

In recognition of Newcastle’s below-par form, many supporters will point to the January transfer window as a solution.

However, Newcastle are unlikely to spend in January – another message that has been pedalled to Howe recently.

READ MORE: Real Madrid target admits he’s keen on Newcastle switch and wants to join ‘miracle player’ on Tyneside

Perhaps the return of Sven Botman could be akin to a new signing for Howe, a player who hasn’t featured since March.

Botman is closing in on a return after his knee injury and is likely to regain his spot alongside Fabian Schar once he’s match fit.

An important few months for Howe and Newcastle, who are currently underperforming.