Ian Ladyman and Craig Hope argue Newcastle are better off WITHOUT the Europa League on It’s All Kicking Off… though Chris Sutton calls their view ‘scrooge-like’ insisting the Magpies could have won the competition
- Newcastle flew out of Europe altogether after losing to Milan with a score of 2:1.
- They debated whether Newcastle would be better off without the Europa League
- Is there huge pressure now on Newcastle to finish in the top four? Listen to the discussion on the topic “Everything Begins”
Newcastle United are in the best position overall outside Europe, Ian Ladyman and Craig Hope argued in the latest episode of It Begins.
Having been placed in this year’s group of death, the Magpies finished last in Group F of the Champions League after losing 2-1 to Milan.
A draw with the Italian side would guarantee them a place in the Europa League, but without being able to focus on European football, they may want to put all their efforts into securing qualification for next season’s competition via the Premier League.
Mail Sport football editor Ian Ladyman and North East football correspondent Craig Hope argue Newcastle will be better off without the Europa League. However, Chris Sutton suggested the look was “Scrooge-like”, insisting the Magpies could have won the competition.
Ladyman said: “There is no shame in being last in this group. This was a big request for them.
Newcastle were eliminated from Europe after finishing bottom of their Champions League group.
Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman (left) and Chris Sutton (right) debate whether Newcastle would be better off without the Europa League
“Personally, I think they will be better off without the Europa League. I know it could make them a few quid if they went ahead with it.
Sutton quickly interrupted and questioned Ladyman’s point, to which he responded: “They’d rather not be able to win the Europa League?” Oh my God, let’s give up.”
He added: “Newcastle can win the Europa League, Ian.” This is a team quite capable of winning the Europa League.
“You can’t think like that. That’s why you’re not a sports person.”
Ladyman defended his view by saying: “They could go deep into this competition, take on all the extra travel, accumulate the fatigue and injuries that come with it, and end up ninth in the Premier League.” And this will not benefit Newcastle.
Hope, who attended Wednesday night’s game, said that while he shared Sutton’s “romantic” view, the club would support Ladyman’s “pragmatic” approach.
He said: ‘I think the guys up there in suits will side with Ladyman because for me, and I’ve said this since the start of the season, the absolute priority this year, Chris, for Newcastle is to make sure they are a Champions League club. next season.
“The most realistic way to do that is to finish in the top four rather than winning the Europa League. I think now they need to concentrate on the championship.
Northeast correspondent Craig Hope echoed Ladyman’s views, saying the club will prioritize finishing in the top four to secure a Champions League spot next season.
Newcastle are seven points adrift of the top four and their exit – along with Manchester United’s exit – from the Champions League could cost the Premier League an extra place.
Milan got the job done at St James’ Park and will head to the Europa League instead of Newcastle
“The reason I say they should be in the Champions League next year is because Newcastle have the money. They have the richest owners in the world.
“The problem they have is FFP and the ability to spend that money. How to remove the barriers of financial fair play rules? You do this by being a Champions League club season after season.”
Hope added that while fans would prefer the club to win their first trophy since 1955, in order to win and compete for trophies every year, it is important to compete in the Champions League.
Sutton continued to criticize Ladyman and Hope’s opinion, saying:This time of year the view looks like Scrooge. I mean, Eddie Howe won’t take you on as a motivational coach, Ian, because you don’t want to be so pragmatic, you won’t want to win any trophies.”
The Premier League’s chances of securing an extra Champions League spot in next season’s expanded competition are in jeopardy following the relegation of Manchester United and Newcastle.
The two countries with the most points according to UEFA coefficients will receive the fifth team in the tournament, which will be Germany and Italy after the Champions League group stage.
It means Eddie Howe’s side could be under greater pressure to finish in the top four, a position they are currently seven points off after 16 games this season.