Newcastle United will return to domestic football in reasonably good shape.
After a difficult start to the season, Eddie Howe has brought some stability back to Newcastle United.
While they are not yet at their very best, they entered the international break off the back of two promising wins.
Victories over Union Saint-Gilloise and Nottingham Forest in the Champions League and Premier League respectively have restored some order.
Now, things are looking up. The Newcastle United manager seemingly has the tools to build another exciting team in the post-Alexander Isak era.
It’s not been easy for Howe but things appear to be getting back on track. Expecting too much too soon feels unwise for a team in transition, although PIF will naturally have a target for the season.
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PIF want Newcastle United to qualify for Europe this season
According to The Athletic, “informal soundings” suggest the Newcastle United owners are expecting some form of European qualification.
It’s not clear as to whether they are necessarily setting a return to the Champions League as a target, just that continental competition in general is seen as a realistic achievement.
PIF are also believed to think that Newcastle should progress from the initial phase of the Champions League this season. They next face winnable games against Benfica and Athletic Bilbao in that competition.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 9 |  SunderlandSunderland | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 11 |
| 10 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 10 |
| 11 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
| 12 |  BrightonBrighton | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 9 |
| 13 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 9 |
PIF proud of what they have done for Newcastle United
It was often a bruising summer for PIF, who faced genuine football related questions about their ambition for the club for the first time.
The Isak saga was a mess and missing out on various transfer targets made it even worse.
Still, the club ended the window in positive fashion. The addition of Nick Woltemade looks inspired, so it’s easy to see why PIF are proud of Newcastle’s summer transfer window.
As such, European qualification does feel like an achievable outcome for Howe this season.
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