Eddie Howe exclusive: Newcastle boss sets European football as ‘minimum’ requirement after Champions League journey - Eurosport

Eddie Howe expressed his strong desire to achieve success and stated that securing a spot in European competitions is the bare minimum he aims for as the manager of Newcastle United.

Howe is currently in his third year as the manager of the Magpies and secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League at the conclusion of his first complete season in 2023.

In the 2022/23 season, Newcastle secured a total of 71 points, finishing four points ahead of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, who took fifth place, and just four points behind Erik ten Hag's Manchester United, ranked third.

Howe highlighted important new players as a significant factor in his team's unexpected top-four finish, noting the arrivals of Alexander Isak, Nick Pope, Anthony Gordon, and Sven Botman during that season.

In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Howe acknowledged that Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League in only his second season was unexpected and came sooner than anticipated.

"I believe it's often challenging to assess situations like this, but it was significantly faster than expected," he remarked.

"I believe that if you had asked anyone at the beginning of the season, very few would have expected us to end up in the top four. However, the players we brought in during the summer were crucial to our success. As our confidence increased, we managed to achieve it, and we truly earned our place."

The Toon experienced an impressive European journey upon their return to the continent's elite competition. They found themselves in a challenging group, often referred to as the 'Group of Death,' facing formidable teams like Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund, which ultimately made it to the final.

They started with a tough 0-0 tie at the San Siro, but then made a strong statement in the Champions League by crushing PSG 4-1 at St James' Park, a match Howe referred to as a “historic game.”

"It was incredible, and everything happened in the blink of an eye," the ex-Bournemouth manager stated.

"We reflect on it as a significant moment in history – considering our performance, what we achieved, and our overall potential."

"You need to confront the pain," Guardiola acknowledges that his Manchester City players are facing difficulties.

"I believe the frustration stems from our desire to return to that place. Once you've experienced it, you crave more. It's a powerful motivator for all of us."

Following a strong beginning in the group stage, the Magpies quickly saw a downturn. They faced a 1-0 defeat against Dortmund at St James' due to a goal from Felix Nmecha. A month later, they were dominated by the same German team in the return match.

A frustrating 1-1 tie in Paris came next, where a questionable penalty was awarded to the French champions, denying Newcastle what could have been a memorable victory in the French capital.

In their last match of the group stage, the effects of their previous defeat lingered, leading to a 2-1 loss against Milan at home, which resulted in their elimination from the tournament.

"Occasionally, I revisit that match since it presented quite a challenge," Howe remarked about the 1-1 tie at Parc des Princes.

"We set up our defense in our own territory and did an incredible job of holding them off. It feels unfair because I truly believe we earned at least a positive outcome."

“That’s the standard we aim to reach. We truly enjoyed the experience of the Champions League—the matches, the travel, and the additional games were all amazing.”

"We all wanted that so badly. It fueled our determination even more for everyone who took part in those games."

Newcastle came close to securing a spot in European competition last season, ending the league in seventh place. Typically, this ranking would allow them to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Nonetheless, thanks to United's surprising victory in the FA Cup final, the eighth-place Red Devils secured a spot in the UEFA Europa League, pushing Chelsea down to the Conference League and eliminating Newcastle from any European competition.

When asked if competing in Europe is the “minimum” expectation for a club like Newcastle, Howe responded, “Absolutely, I believe that’s the case.”

I believe it was particularly annoying how we lost our chance at Europe. It wasn't entirely in our control that we didn't make it.

"When I arrived at this position, I understood what it meant to be the manager of Newcastle United. I have always recognized how significant this role is for the city and everyone involved with the club. I truly love what I do and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m eager for us to achieve great things."

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