Newcastle United now know what awaits them next season.
With Manchester United having shocked the world to beat Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley, Newcastle have been denied another European tour.
Having come so close to it, it’s obviously hugely frustrating for everyone involved.
Indeed, owners PIF would surely have welcomed the added revenue continental competition brings during a period in which the club are seemingly walking a tightrope when it comes to FFP.
Still, what’s done is done.
As much of a surprise as it was to see City lose to the Red Devils, Newcastle have only themselves to blame.
A lack of consistency and some pretty torrid defensive displays is ultimately what cost Eddie Howe and his side, albeit an unrelenting injury crisis really didn’t help matters.
If there’s one positive, it’s that Newcastle only have a domestic campaign on which to focus.
The last time they had that, Howe led them to fourth in the Premier League table, as well as a Carabao Cup final.
However, it is obviously difficult to put too positive a spin on missing out on Europe but it seems insiders at the club aren’t fearing the worst just yet.
How Newcastle insiders feel about transfer plans after missing out on Europe
According to The Northern Echo, Newcastle could miss out on as much as £15m by failing to qualify for Europe.
Still, club officials are thought to be confident that not having European nights on offer won’t stop them from signing their leading targets this summer.
Newcastle have already proven they can sign big players without European football
Granted, the period in which Newcastle signed Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon was perhaps not as pressing on the FFP front.
Still, such is the level of ambition on offer at St James’ Park, it meant that very talented raft of players arrived before Newcastle had stepped foot on a European stage for the first time in years.
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why they are still optimistic on the transfer front.
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