UEFA rules could see Newcastle United reunite with 185 appearance hero

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Newcastle United have some issues that must be dealt with before the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign.

After a rough start, the Magpies have pulled themselves out of the fire and become a side challenging for Champions League qualification this season.

It has been a difficult campaign at times, with Eddie Howe having to perform to a high standard while continuing to play unchanged starting XI’s due to a lack of squad depth after selling several useful squad players over the summer.

Despite that, Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup, a first domestic honour since 1955. The cup win ensured the Magpies would play European football next season, with automatic qualification to the Conference League one of many prizes.

Newcastle players want Champions League football next season. Howe’s squad has the quality to achieve that.

While European nights will return to Tyneside next season, the Magpies have one big problem which a former hero could fix.

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Paul Mitchell could bring Tim Krul back to Newcastle United

Luton Town goalkeeper Tim Krul has not seen much first-team action in the last two years. The 37-year-old has failed to make a single league appearance for the Hatters since joining on a free transfer at the beginning of the 2023/24 season.

Many Newcastle fans will remember Krul for his 12-year spell on Tyneside, where he made 185 appearances in all competitions. Krul is recognised as a hero for his time at Newcastle, with the shot-stopper helping his former club return to European competition after finishing fifth in the 2011/12 Premier League season.

Now in the latter stages of his career, Krul will surely be thinking about calling time on his career. However, he is still of use to Newcastle.

As it stands, Newcastle will fall short of UEFA’s squad registration rules. Every competing team must submit a squad list with four “club-trained” players. Failure to do so will result in registration places being docked. This happened to Newcastle when they returned to the Champions League last season. Paul Dummett and Sean Longstaff were registered as the only two players trained at the club, so they were docked two places.

Now that Dummett has left the club, it leaves Longstaff as the only club-trained player Newcastle can select. Even though he is unlikely to play any games, signing Krul or someone else who trained with the club for three years between the ages of 15 and 21.

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Tim Krul suffers major setback away from Newcastle United

It has been almost eight years since Krul left Newcastle, but the goalkeeper still has a soft spot for the club that gave him the opportunity to shine in England.

Krul congratulated Kieran Trippier for reaching 600 career appearances in April alongside Newcastle legend Alan Shearer.

Newcastle considered signing Krul in 2024 while European qualification still looked possible. Sadly, the Magpies missed out on the Conference League due to Manchester United’s FA Cup win.

Krul would have surely wished a move back to Newcastle had come to fruition, as Luton were relegated for a second straight time in May. The Hatters played Premier League football in 2024, now they will be returning to League One.

Krul admitted he was disappointed with his playing time on social media when reflecting on the season, but gave little indication that he would be staying at the club for another year.