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Why Champions League failure is unthinkable for Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe
Newcastle United were the only English team to finish outside of the top eight in this season’s Champions League group stage.
They ended in 12th position and that has sent Eddie Howe’s men into a two-legged play-off with Azerbaijan champions Qarabag for a place in the last 16.
Here, DAZN News assesses the challenges facing the Magpies as they bid to reach the knockout stages, with the first leg in Azerbaijan on Wednesday night.
Back on the Champions League map under Howe
When Eddie Howe pitched up at St James’ Park in November 2021, Newcastle were facing relegation from the Premier League.
Steve Bruce had been ushered out of the door and the Toon were 19th in the table – five points from safety after 11 games.
They turned to Howe after Unai Emery rejected their advances and the former Bournemouth boss faced a mountainous task upon his arrival.
But not only did Howe stop the rot and restore belief, but he led Newcastle to an 11th-placed finish in the Premier League.
The following season, they finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2002–03 season.
But their first Champions League campaign under Saudi ownership ended in disappointment as they finished bottom of a tough group and out of Europe altogether.
Last season, though, saw the Magpies win their first domestic trophy for 70 years after beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
Howe also led his men to a fifth-placed finish in the Champions League, securing a return to European football's premier competition.
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Thrills and spills in Europe this season
Chaotic barely begins to describe life on Tyneside during a summer of major upheaval.
Alexander Isak, such a key figure in last season’s historic campaign, made clear his desire to leave and eventually forced through a British-record £125million move to Liverpool.
Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade arrived as replacements from Brentford and Stuttgart, respectively and, after a slow start to the season, the Magpies began to motor.
Woltemade showed early promise, scoring six goals by the end of October.
Although a brace from on-loan Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford gave Barcelona a 2-1 win at St James’ Park in Newcastle's Champions League opener, Newcastle thumped Union St Gilloise and Benfica in their next two matches.
Then came a 2-0 home win over Athletic Bilbao on Bonfire Night, but they hit trouble with a 2-1 loss at Marseille and a 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen.
There was a 3-0 home victory over PSV Eindhoven, but Newcastle headed to Paris Saint-Germain for the final group game with their hopes of a top-eight finish in the balance.
The Magpies failed to eke out the win they needed to progress to the round of 16 automatically, sending them into a play-off with Qarabag.
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Question marks linger over summer recruitment
The departure of Isak was always going to leave a gaping hole in Newcastle’s attacking artillery, but the acquisition of Wissa and Woltemade was designed to plug the gap.
Woltemade, who joined for a club-record £69million, has generally struggled to back up his promising start in a black and white jersey.
The 6ft 6in Germany international scored 10 goals for Howe’s side but has fired blanks in recent weeks.
He ended a 14-match goal drought in Saturday's 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round win at Aston Villa on his 24th birthday in a welcome, and much-needed, return to form.
Wissa, meanwhile, was hampered by injury at the start of the season, which delayed his Newcastle debut until early December.
He has scored three goals since then but is still trying to make a lasting impact and, like Woltemade, Wissa has started recent games on the bench.
Anthony Elanga arrived from Nottingham Forest in the summer for a cool £55million but has not pulled up many trees either.
At times, watching Newcastle this season, it has felt as if Howe is still searching for his most effective formation and style of play.
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Scrutiny on Howe amid recent struggles
When Newcastle lifted the Carabao Cup last season, Howe secured himself a place in Toon folklore.
But this season has been a struggle and the low point came during the recent 3-2 home defeat to Brentford.
That followed a 4-1 stuffing at Liverpool and a 3-1 loss at Manchester City in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Losing at home to the Bees did not go down well with the Geordie public, who booed their team off as the pressure cranked up on Howe.
Newcastle responded by winning 2-1 at crisis-torn Tottenham three days later and then went and won at Villa in the FA Cup, setting them up perfectly for the arduous trek to Ajerbaijan.
Progress against Qarabag over two legs would send Newcastle into the last 16 of the Champions League and who knows where that could lead them to?
It would dispel any doubts surrounding Howe’s position and potentially set Newcastle up for a strong end to the season.
Qarabag are no mugs, winning three of their eight group-stage games against Benfica, Copenhagen and Eintracht Frankfurt and drawing with Chelsea.
But Newcastle will surely be far too strong over two legs, especially with the decisive second game at St James' Park.
Full Champions League fixture list for knockout play-offs
Tuesday, 17 February
- Galatasaray vs. Juventus
- Benfica vs. Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
- Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Wednesday, 18 February
- Qarabag vs. Newcastle United
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Inter Milan
- Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid
- Olympiakos vs. Bayer Leverkusen
How to watch Monaco vs PSG in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch Monaco vs PSG in the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
