Eddie Howe told fresh Newcastle United goal to ‘assure future’ after Champions League failure

Former Manchester United and England striker Teddy Sheringham believes Eddie Howe must target “top six and a cup” to keep his job at St James’ Park.

Narrowly missing out on European football was a bitter pill to swallow for Newcastle United last season. Since the Conference League was founded, no top-flight club has failed to qualify for the competition after finishing seventh.

That was until Man United won the FA Cup to snatch Newcastle’s European spot. The Magpies now face no continental adventures this season but have a clear attack on domestic competition.

For that reason, many predict a positive season on Tyneside despite concerns over a lack of transfer activity. Ex-Man United forward Sheringham has claimed Howe needs to target European football regularly – while ending the club’s trophy drought.

“Last season, they had the Champions League adventure,” Sheringham told Online Poker. “I think they were really unlucky to go out in the group stages and, as Manchester United demonstrated and latterly Manchester City, it takes years to get to grips with the competition and to make progress.

“The challenge for Eddie Howe is to keep Newcastle in that top four on a regular basis. If you can’t get into the Champions League, then Europa League football should be the target.

“The point is that, the more you become accustomed to managing playing in Europe, the easier it becomes. If Howe can keep doing that, then I think his future at Newcastle looks completely assured.

“The issue is that it’s really competitive in the Premier League. Can he get them into the top four again? I’m not sure that he can when I look at the other teams up there. Sixth place and a cup would be an unbelievable season, and I think they would be happy with one or the other.”