Newcastle United Qualify For UEFA Champions League For First Time In 20 Years

Newcastle United have qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League. Newcastle have not played UCL soccer since 2003.

Newcastle United have qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League.

Monday's 0-0 draw against Leicester City at St James' Park moved Eddie Howe's side four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool, who have just one game remaining.

Newcastle will be joined in the group stage of next season's Champions League by EPL champions Manchester City and runners-up Arsenal.

Manchester United are also expected to confirm their place in the UCL later this week. It is still mathematically possible for Liverpool to catch United but only if Erik ten Hag's team lose at home to both Chelsea and Fulham.

St James' Park will host UEFA Champions League soccer next season :: IMAGO/News Images/Mark Cosgrove

Speaking after Monday's game, Newcastle manager Howe told Sky Sports that his team had exceeded expectations this season.

"[Our expectation] certainly wasn't top four," said Howe.

"I think you always hope, you always believe and you have to dream.

"But we didn't feel that we were ready for that. After last season's battle with relegation it was whether we could consolidate and become a better team.

"To not have that flirtation with relegation and try to give it a go, it's just been incredible."

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe pictured celebrating after his team secured Champions League qualification on Monday night :: IMAGO/News Images/Mark Cosgrove

Newcastle have not competed in the Champions League since 2003.

Next season will be the club's fourth UCL campaign.

The Magpies failed to get past the group stage in their first attempt in 1997, despite having started that campaign by beating Barcelona.

Five years later, Newcastle progressed to the now-defunct second group stage after finishing above Dynamo Kyiv and Feyenoord in the first. But the Magpies were unable to reach the knockout phase after placing third behind Barca and Inter Milan.

Newcastle's most recent Champions League experience was a short one as they lost to FK Partizan on penalties in the third qualifying round in August 2003.