So far, the Magpies from the north of England have had a fantastic season and are one of the favourites to qualify for the Champions League. The Toons’ hunt to qualify for European football may, unfortunately, soon come to an end as they are currently in fifth place in the Premiership standings and have only two games remaining.
The team, led by Eddie Howe, is on a fantastic run and has played some exciting football. They also currently hold the best defensive record in the league, and even if they are not able to qualify once again for the Champions League, they will undoubtedly participate in the Europa League or Europa Conference League during the next season.
When did Newcastle last play in Europe?
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Newcastle was a frequent participant in European competitions, but under owner Mike Ashley’s ownership the club was relegated a few times, and hardly played in Europe. When the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, PCP Capital Partners, and the Reuben brothers bought the club in October 2021, the Magpies travelled to Europe for the first time in ten years under their new ownership.
With a side made up of Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye, Cheick Tiote, and Hatem Ben Arfa finishing fifth, the 2011–12 season under Alan Pardew was the pinnacle of the Ashley era.
Newcastle played in the Europa League the next year. The Magpies battled to a 16th-place finish at home, making it a terrible season, but their travels across Europe were a nice escape.
After defeating Greek club Atromitos in a qualifying match, the Toons were placed in Group D and played Bordeaux, Maritimo, and Club Brugge. The Toons advanced to second place.
The Geordie team’s time in Europe came to an end during the quarterfinals against Portuguese champions Benfica, who managed to overcome the team 4-2, but later lost to Chelsea in the final championship match.
Newcastle had previously participated in the UEFA Cup seven times and advanced to the semifinals of the 2003–04 season before being defeated by a Didier Drogba–led Marseille.
When the Toon won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (the first Europa League) in 1969, it was the last time they had European success.
What about the Champions League?
Unfortunately for the Georgies, it’s been a long wait for them to play in Europe, and even longer before they’ll be playing Champions League games. Furthermore, the black&white team has only ever competed in UEFA’S top competition twice in their history, with them having played for the first time during the 1997/98 season in the Champions League.
