Newcastle United have more than just points to play for in the Premier League run-in. While they may not be able to equal their top four finish from 2022/23, Eddie Howe’s team still has a significant prize money to compete for.
As Newcastle travels to Crystal Palace this evening, club officials understand that the difference between placing sixth and seventh this season may be worth roughly £1.5 million. However, finishing sixth ahead of Manchester United will be worth roughly £156 million in total, including prize money and TV broadcast payments.
The Magpies will be totally focused on events at Selhurst Park and attempting to keep sixth place against the Eagles, but the club’s financial backers will also be watching events at Manchester United, where the Red Devils face Sheffield United and have the opportunity to leapfrog Howe’s squad if they drop points.
In a crucial week for Newcastle, they know they can leapfrog Chelsea, West Ham, and Brighton with six points at Palace and at home to Sheffield United.
Newcastle’s fourth-place position last season earned £164.3 million, plus the riches of the Champions League, which will appear on the following set of accounts.
While that sum will be lower than last season, Howe’s squad has already performed admirably since the last international break, rising from 10th to sixth place, potentially resulting in an additional £11 million in prize and merit money.
In terms of the club’s historical Premier League performance, Newcastle might yet attain one of its best positions in recent years. Their fourth-place finish was their best since the 2003 season, when they finished third under Sir Bobby Robson.
However, Newcastle has only finished in the top six once since 2004, when Robson led the team to fifth place before being fired months later. That came under Alan Pardew, when he finished fifth and qualified for the Europa League.
Speaking about United’s prospects for the rest of the season, Howe said: “I think European football is a big achievement for where we are on our journey right now.” Especially given the season we’ve had this year. When you put everything together and look back on the season, you will have accomplished something. Yes, that was a significant achievement given where we were.
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