Newcastle United have come so far - but there is so much further to go

Newcastle United are, without question, well ahead of schedule in their development under Eddie Howe and winding the clock back just 12 months would bring modest predictions, or even aspirations, of a top ten finish and a good run in a domestic cup. A lot of the talk from Howe and the club’s senior management team has been of gradual progression and taking a step-by-step approach to becoming regular challengers for a top four spot and major honours.

Last season’s fourth-placed finish came as a surprise to many - not least those involved with the club - but as confidence and belief grew throughout the season, so too did the realisation that severe challenges caused by the progress of the campaign lie in wait.

There have, of course, been benefits to qualifying for the Champions League. The success of a deal for AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali was unexpected and would not have been possible without the carrot of competing among European football’s elite, and several other targets are reportedly open to a move to Tyneside following the impressive performances of last season.

But there is still a lot of work to do to get Howe’s squad ready to challenge on a number of fronts during the coming campaign, and United must now face up to the hurdles that they have to overcome as they prepare to take those next steps.

Unlike the almost free-spending aftermath of takeovers at Chelsea and Manchester City over the last 20 years, the limitations of Financial Fair Play regulations will come into play. As has been well-documented, the Magpies hierarchy have spent around £275million in four transfer windows since the took control at St James Park in October 2021.

There have been knockbacks as James Maddison and Dominik Szoboszlai went elsewhere after being targeted by the Magpies. The demands of selling clubs or the players themselves took both potential signings out of reach as United remain determined not to overstretch a wage structure at the risk of causing friction among an increasingly tight-knit squad.

However, the message coming out of the club and from people involved in potential signings is that there is no need to panic. A clear plan has been meticulously put together over the last two years and there remains a confident mood that further additions will come in to aid Howe in his desire to build on the progress made during his time in charge.

After functioning with a skeletal structure under the club’s former owners, United’s recruitment staff at all levels have grown beyond recognition and the Magpies are consistently gathering information on potential targets across the globe. Links with up and coming players in Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa are not without foundation as United’s recruitment team clock up the air miles and forge and foster trusted links with local scouts around the world.

Big money has been spent but it has been spent with a purpose. Part of the plan is to bring in players that can develop with the club over the coming years, as well as making an impact in the short-term. It is no coincidence that expensive additions such as Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and, most recently, Sandro Tonali were all in their early-to-mid twenties when they were signed. They have time to develop under Howe, to settle into life in the Premier League and, most importantly, to improve the Magpies on the pitch and their reputation off it around the globe.

But that all comes with a caveat. There is a lot to enthuse over at St. James’ Park at this point in time - but, as it stands, the Magpies remain second best in their standing in European football. Potential signings will have witnessed the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City achieve genuine success over the last two decades and the lure of moves to such clubs will remain as strong as ever.

Once again, the infrastructure that was stripped to the core by former owner Mike Ashley means the Magpies languish behind their Premier League rivals in terms of sponsorship and the income that comes with it - and although positive steps have been taken, there is some way to go. Further progress will be made in the coming months and the income provided by recently announced sponsor deals and competing in the Champions League will help Newcastle in their challenges with Financial Fair Play regulations.

The club’s training facilities and academy, which was often paid lip service but ultimately neglected under the previous regime, are being developed and have seen improvements - although both are highly likely to be given longer-term overhauls in the near future to bring them in line with the best at home and abroad.

For the first time in over a generation, Newcastle have tried and trusted figures in key positions. From Dan Ashworth’s impressive work as Sporting Director to Darren Eales’ appointment as CEO and Peter Silverstone as Chief Commercial Officer, an infrastructure worthy of a Premier League club is in place and development and improvement is gathering pace with every passing week.

But for now, patience is needed as the Magpies continue to work hard on and off the pitch to take the next giant leap forwards ahead of what already feels like one of the most exciting seasons in living memory.