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'Slightly disappointed' - Alan Shearer makes Newcastle Champions League admission as Magpies look to build on Carabao Cup success

Premier League

Brighton

Newcastle

<p>Newcastle can already class the 2024-25 season as a success following their<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/newcastle-player-ratings-vs-liverpool-alexander-isak-dan-burn-carabao-cup-final/bltc18db704f858f094" target="_blank"> Carabao Cup final triumph over Liverpool</a> but there is still unfinished business for Eddie Howe and Co. The Magpies are pushing for a Champions League finish but face stiff competition from their Premier League rivals.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The likes of Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are hot in the race for a place in Europe's elite competition next term but Newcastle icon Shearer believes the Magpies should make the cut. Speaking on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@therestisfootball/videos" target="_blank">Rest is Football </a>podcast, he said: "“I really am hopeful (of Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League). I would hope that the good form Newcastle are in and the good feeling that the club should have. </p><p>"Leicester this evening, their game in hand is Crystal Palace at home. I know they’ve got to play Aston Villa as well, but Palace and Villa are still in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and I think Newcastle play both of them just before.</p><p>"Yeah, I am hopeful. I would be slightly disappointed if Newcastle weren’t to make the top four or top five."</p>

WHAT SHEARER SAID

<p>While the euphoria of winning a trophy will live on across Tyneside for many more months, a club of Newcastle's stature needs to be securing a place in Europe if they are to continue on their upward trajectory. On top of that, their star players, including<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/alexander-isak-top-arsenal-striker-transfer-shortlist-liverpool-newcastle-selling-gbp150m/bltc066f02a4dedeccd" target="_blank"> Alexander Isak</a> and Bruno Guimaraes will want to be playing at the very top level and may look elsewhere for their careers should the Magpies fail to qualify.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Newcastle's remaining fixtures put their fate entirely in their own hands. Howe's side must still play Aston Villa, Chelsea, Brighton and Arsenal. If they can pick up a few crucial wins, they will get that exclusive place in the Champions League. </p>

WHAT NEXT?

'Slightly disappointed' - Alan Shearer makes Newcastle Champions League admission as Magpies look to build on Carabao Cup success | Goal.com

Alan Shearer says he will be disappointed if Newcastle fail to qualify for the Champions League following their Carabao Cup triumph this season.

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