Saudi-backed Newcastle United ends 20-year wait to get back into the Champions League
When Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund bought a significant stake in Newcastle United in 2021, they developed a strategic vision to help keep the team focused on achieving its goals.
The initial task was to ensure that the four-times English champion remained in the top flight of the Premier League with qualification for the Champions League being of equal importance.
However, even head coach Eddie
Howe could not have foreseen the club's remarkable transformation that saw them secure their place back amongst Europe's elite on Monday.
A 0-0 draw at home to Leicester City meant Newcastle will finish in the Premier League's top four and will be mixing it with the continent's big guns for the first time in two decades.
After celebrating on the St James' Park pitch with his players,
Howe was asked what the targets had been back in August.
"Certainly wasn't (top four)," the former Bournemouth manager told Sky Sports. "You always hope and always believe and you have to dream. But we didn't feel we were ready for that. I can't praise (the players) enough for that mentality, their attitude what they've given me and the club."
When Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund bought an 80% stake in Newcastle in October 2021 the team was 19th in the table and without a win. Steve Bruce was sacked and replaced by Howe. Even then it took Newcastle until the 15th game of the season to get a win, but after that, with the help of some astute signings such as England's Kieran Trippier, Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and defender Dan Burn, the fog that had shrouded the Tyneside club finally began to lift.— reuters