Newcastle United’s owners would prefer to win a trophy than qualify for the Champions League claims Tam McManus.
Newcastle haven’t lifted silverware since winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 where Joe Harvey’s Magpies beat Ujpest FC 6-2 over two legs to win what is now the UEFA Europa League.
You have to go even further back to 1955 when the Toon last won a domestic trophy as a Jackie Milburn-inspired Newcastle beat Manchester City 3-1 to win the FA Cup.
Eddie Howe’s side are currently still fighting on all fronts with an EFL Cup round of 16 clash against Bournemouth their first fixture back after the World Cup break, with an FA Cup third-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday to come at the beginning of next month.
Despite Newcastle sitting third in the table and Champions League qualification rewarding the biggest purse and increased flexibility to FFP regulations, McManus told Football Insider that a cup triumph would be prioritised.
“How long has it been since Newcastle won a trophy? 60 years or something?”
“That needs to change, a club the size of Newcastle needs trophies. They also need European football because of the new owners.
“So it’s a tricky decision because I don’t know if they have the squad to do both this season. Europe makes the money but a trophy is a trophy, it’s a tangible sign of success.
“Orders from above might be to win the trophy and that is something Eddie would love to do, I’m sure.
“Being the first manager to win something since 1969, it would be huge for the club and the city,” McManus said.
TIF Thoughts on McManus’ comments…
In a perfect world, Howe’s side is able to do both but with a squad lacking depth and a hungry chasing pack soon to be on their heels for their top-four spot it will be tough to achieve unless they target Carabao Cup success.
The Magpies have never won the Football League Cup since finishing runners-up in 1976, but this competition although inferior to the FA Cup would see the best chance of a maiden trophy of the Saudi Arabian ownership achieved.
With Newcastle favourites in their home clash against Bournemouth and Manchester City and Liverpool to play each other, the Toon would see a huge chance to go all the way as one of the favourites with only the Citizens, Liverpool, Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion the only top ten Premier League sides left in the cup.
With the final set to be played on February 26, it would allow the Toon to claim a major trophy and then set their sights on a Champions League push over the remainder of the season.