Howe’s Bold Claim: Newcastle Poised to Shatter Expectations and Secure Champions League Spot

Newcastle United stands on the cusp of something electrifying, the kind of moment that can redefine a club’s destiny — and Eddie Howe knows it. After tasting Champions League football last season for the first time in two decades, and lifting the Carabao Cup this year, the Magpies are now battling fiercely alongside Chelsea and four other powerhouses for a coveted top-five finish. This Sunday’s showdown isn’t just another game; it’s a litmus test of just how hungry this squad really is to reclaim their spot among Europe’s elite. Howe, with a mixture of steely determination and quiet confidence, has already set the bar high, reminding everyone inside St. James’ Park that the expectation to reach the Champions League isn’t some lofty dream — it’s an internal mandate. But it won’t come easy. The clash with Enzo Maresca’s resurgent Chelsea will demand a near Wembeley-level performance — razor-sharp preparation, grit, and a touch of magic all rolled into one. And while this push for continental glory grabs the headlines, the Toon Army is also being invited to weigh in on a bold proposal to modernize their storied club crest, a symbol that’s carried the weight of over three decades. Change and challenge—both knocking at the door for Newcastle as they chase greatness. LEARN MORE

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says he feels an expectation from within the club to return to the Champions League.

Newcastle host Chelsea on Sunday with the clubs locked together on both points and goal difference. Howe’s side are currently ahead on goals scored, with both engaged in a six-way fight with Arsenal, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa for a top-five finish.

Howe’s side played in the Champions League in the 2023-24 season for the first time in 20 years and this year won the Carabao Cup.

Eddie Howe on Dan Burn:

“Dan’s season will be up there, if you had written a dream season, it would have been very close to this for him. The goal in the cup final, that was the best header I have ever seen him deliver, then very quickly he had the England call up and debut.… pic.twitter.com/s7TVpAJgIs

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) May 9, 2025

Howe said: “We feel an expectation, certainly internally, to try to deliver Champions League football.

“It was an expectation that we placed upon ourselves.

“Winning the cup final, I think, gave us a freedom and a new-found confidence off the back of achieving that – that gave us a bounce in the next few games. We elevated our performance off the back of that.

“But that feels like it was, in football terms, quite a while ago and now we have to still use and take that confidence, but now we have to focus on these last three games knowing, for me, just how good the team can be. We have to set our expectations very high of ourselves.”

Howe said his team will have to play as well as they did at Wembley to get the better of Enzo Maresca’s Conference League finalists.

The 47-year-old, who has doubts over two unnamed players, said: “Yes, I think we’ll have to go close to that kind of performance in order to win.

“Chelsea gave us one of our toughest games of the season at Stamford Bridge earlier this season. I thought they were excellent and I think they’ve started to re-capture that form in their recent games.

“Enzo is a very, very good manager. He’s very clever with what he does with the style of play that they possess, and they’ve got really good attacking players that can hurt us if we’re not right, so we need to get our preparation right, our game-plan needs to be good and our players need to be ready to perform to their best levels.”

This is a key moment which will define the identity of our club.

Our supporters must be at the heart of this decision.

Please complete the survey when you receive it, with your honest opinions.https://t.co/0KO8VUVq35

— Newcastle United Fan Advisory Board (@NUFCFAB) May 9, 2025

Meanwhile, the club has announced it is to launch a fan consultation exercise over a proposal to update the club’s crest – which has been used since 1988 – to bring it into line with the digital age.