Newcastle United endured something of a reality check last season.
Newcastle United experienced a reality check last season. Although there were memorable moments at St. James’ Park, the team struggled to maintain consistency, preventing them from qualifying for European football again.
Even after finishing seventh in the Premier League, their hopes for another European adventure were dashed when Manchester United won the FA Cup, leaving Eddie Howe’s side without continental competition for the season.
On the bright side, this might simplify things for the upcoming campaign, allowing Howe to focus solely on domestic competitions and making squad management easier. Nonetheless, it’s clear that missing out on Europe was disappointing.
UEFA has released its latest club coefficient rankings, which affect seeding in competition draws. Points are awarded based on continental performance, and while this won’t affect Newcastle this season, it could be important for their future when they return to European play.
### Current UEFA Rankings
According to UEFA’s official site, Newcastle is ranked 81st, placing them below Brighton and Aston Villa. This is a slight improvement from last season when they were 83rd.
Securing a spot in the Champions League during his first full season was a significant achievement for Howe, but it may have come too soon for the team. The memorable night against Paris Saint-Germain will remain in fans’ memories, but insiders acknowledge that Newcastle still has a long way to go to be regular top-four contenders. The goal is to ensure the team consistently competes at that level, which likely requires more than just one impressive season.
Despite their exit in the Champions League group stage, Newcastle held their own, and the focus now is on returning to that stage as quickly as possible
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