Euro spot would salvage season on and off pitch

Published date20 March 2024
Publication titleEvening Chronicle
While the club's trophy hoodoo will not come to an end this term, the Magpies are still very much alive in the hunt for Europe

The Champions League is out of reach barring an unthinkable miracle but a spot in either the Europa League or Europa Conference League remains a very realistic, and attractive proposition, for Howe's Newcastle.

Of course, they will need an upturn in form and a consistent run of results between now and the campaign's end but this Newcastle side have shown how impressive they can be when they build a bit of momentum. With 10 games remaining, they sit one point behind Wolves in ninth, two behind Brighton in eighth, four behind West Ham in seventh and seven behind Manchester United in sixth.

Achieving a European finish, which could happen with an eighth-placed finish depending on who goes on to win the FA Cup, would not only salvage what has been a disappointing season for Newcastle - but also provide extra revenue at a crucial time next season.

Newcastle's 23/24 accounts will next year show proof of the lavish financial benefits on offer for playing Champions League football and while UEFA's two lesser competitions pale in comparison, the rewards are not to be sniffed at.

Based on the current campaign, reaching the group stages of the Europa

League alone is worth £3.2m, with each win in the first stage of the competition pocketing teams an extra £538,000.

Draws are worth £179,000 and winning the group itself bags an extra £940,000. With the group stage system changing from next season, this may differ when the new league-style setup takes shape.

Additionally, £1.5m was...

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