Eddie Howe had no regrets over Newcastle United’s Champions League qualification.
Eddie Howe has dismissed claims. Newcastle United’s Champions League qualification came too soon following an interrupted campaign as a result of the Magpies’ brief European campaign.
Newcastle were eliminated from the ‘Group of Death’ at the turn of the year, followed by a sad departure from the Carabao Cup a few days later. Now, the race is on to earn European qualification in some manner while also moving past Manchester City in the FA Cup.
When asked if a top-four finish last season had set the bar too high, Howe said, “I don’t think so. We were thrilled to have qualified for the Champions League. “I didn’t think, ‘We’re not ready for this’ or ‘It’s too early.'”You have to seize the opportunity when it arises, and we did. But, of course, that brings with it expectations, which must be managed. We need to get better at coping with that. “This season has been challenging.”
When asked if a top-four finish last season had set the bar too high, Howe said, “I don’t think so. We were thrilled to have qualified for the Champions League. “I didn’t think, ‘We’re not ready for this’ or ‘It’s too early.'”You have to seize the opportunity when it arises, and we did. But, of course, that brings with it expectations, which must be managed. We need to get better at coping with that. “This season has been challenging.”
After turning a corner in the league by welcoming important players back from injury, Howe’s Newcastle are back in contention for a Europa League or Europa Conference League position by mid-May.
“Football moves on very quickly, so targets move on, images of your own team move on within minutes, it seems, these days,” he said. “We are well aware of where we are, where we want to go, and the team that we want to be, and there is a sense of frustration among ourselves.
“But in the back of your head, you have to have perspective and you have to have reality and you have to think of the challenges we’ve faced this year, so we’re trying to manage all those things while trying to drive the team forward because there’s no point doing anything other than looking for growth in your team.”
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