Eddie Howe Wants Swift Newcastle Return To Champions League After Group Stage Elimination
Eddie Howe is eager to get Newcastle United playing Champions League football again next season after their involvement in this season's competition ended in the group stages.
Newcastle were beaten at home 2-1 by AC Milan on Wednesday which ensured they finished bottom of a group that also included Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint Germain.
It was the Magpies' first involvement in Europe's premier club competition for the first time in 20 years and they gave a good account of themselves.
Joelinton's first half goal appeared to be taking Newcastle through at one point on Wednesday, but AC Milan rallied after the break and take the consolatory third place spot for the Europa League thanks to goals from Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze.
Newcastle will now turn their attention to domestic action, where they face Fulham on Saturday looking to improve upon their seventh place position on the table.
“I’d love the opportunity to do that again and I think that has to be our focus very quickly. I don’t think we can look at anything other than that," an upbeat Howe said after the game.
“We want to be there again and we’re still close enough in the Premier League to do that and compete. All these things happen for a reason, I’m a believer in that.
“The ambition is there, of course. It’s there from all of us – but doesn’t mean it’ll happen. We have to make that happen.
“Any time you don’t achieve what you want, you have a setback, you have a disappointment, you have to use it as fuel and that’s very much has always been my way.
“The pain that you feel now is motivation for tomorrow. We now have to focus on the Premier League and have to try to make sure we get our form in the Premier League as strong as we can.”
