Newcastle United’s stunning next ten years under PIF-led owners - as predicted by Football Manager 2024

The last two seasons have been something rather special for Newcastle United supporters as they went from avoiding relegation into the Championship to mixing it with AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and PSG in the Champions League.

The controversial PIF-led takeover that was completed in October 2021 has proved to be the catalyst for the return of ambition, excitement and hope at St James Park as the Magpies have benefitted from some shrewd thinking on and off the pitch.

The appointment of Eddie Howe, who was named as successor to Steve Bruce within a month of the takeover, has proven to be an overwhelming success and the signings of the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon have strengthened the United squad beyond recognition.

But what could lie ahead of the men from Tyneside? And what success will the next decade bring as they continue their journey under their Saudi-led owners? We fire up the latest version of the world’s most popular managerial simulation to see what Football Manager 2024 predicts will lie in store for the Magpies over the next ten years.

2023/24 season

Eddie Howe’s attempts to build on United’s surprise qualification for the Champions League led to a major investment in the January transfer market as Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia and Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci joined at a combined cost of £89m.

A venture to the last eight of the Champions League provided excitement but there was disappointment in both domestic cup competitions. European football was secured but it was to be the Europa League after Howe’s side finished in sixth place.

Final Premier League position: 6th FA Cup: Fourth Round (1-2 at Brighton) Carabao Cup: Fourth Round (2-3 at Chelsea) European competition: Champions League Quarter-Final (2-5 agg to Real Madrid) Top goalscorer: Alexander Isak (21) Manager: Eddie Howe

2024/25 season

United caused a stir in the transfer market once again by landing Victor Osimhen from Napoli in an £86m deal. Further signings included Barcelona winger Raphinha, Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy and Fiorentina star Nicolas Gonzalez.

However, silverware still remained out of reach as the Magpies suffered final defeats in the Europa League and Carabao Cup. Such was the disappointment with United’s final position, the Magpies board brought an end to Howe’s reign and turned their attentions elsewhere.

Final Premier League position: 7th FA Cup: Quarter-Final (1-2 at Manchester City) Carabao Cup: Final (1-3 v Manchester City) European competition: Europa League Final (0-1 v Aston Villa) Top goalscorer: Victor Osimhen (23) Manager: Eddie Howe

2025/26 season

Former Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was selected as the man to carry on Howe’s strong work in the dugout and he made some serious progress throughout the season.

The Italian wasted little time in spending as around £202m was spent on Arsenal’s Emile Smith-Rowe, Barcelona forward Vitor Roque, Liverpool defender Joe Gomez and Tottenham Hotspur forward Heung-Min Son.

There was improvement in the league position as a return to the Champions League was secured but there were semi-final defeats in the FA Cup and Europa League and a loss in the final of the Carabao Cup.

Final Premier League position: 5th FA Cup: Semi-Final (0-2 v Liverpool) Carabao Cup: Final: (1-3 v Manchester United) European competition: Europa League Semi-Final (2-3 agg v Atalanta) Top goalscorer: Heung Min-Son (25) Manager: Maurizio Sarri

2026/27 season

Sarri’s attempts to build on a promising first season in charge mainly surrounded a £21m deal for Turkey International Ferdi Kadioglu after the versatile full-back spend the second half of the previous season on loan at St James Park.

Osimhen continued to make an impact but early exits in all competitions left the Magpies board disappointed and Sarri’s two-year contract was not renewed.

Final Premier League position: 6th FA Cup: Fifth Round (1-2 at Nottingham Forest) Carabao Cup: Quarter-Final (1-3 at Chelsea) European competition: Champions League Round of 16 (0-3 agg v Juventus) Top goalscorer: Victor Osimhen (16) Manager: Maurizio Sarri

2027/28 season

RB Leipzig manager was the next to try his luck in the St James Park hotseat and he would go on to be a roaring success compared to his predecessors.

There was something of a clearout as Bruno Guimaraes, Nicolas Gonzalez and Ferland Mendy were moved on but there were several incomings, with Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney joining in a £32m deal.

Rose’s United returned to the Champions League and reached the Europa League Final - but a 2-1 defeat to Spurs ended any hopes of landing that elusive silverware.

Final Premier League position: 5th FA Cup: Fourth Round (0-1 at Brentford) Carabao Cup: Fourth Round (1-2 at Reading) European competition: Europa League Final (1-2 v Spurs) Top goalscorer: Victor Osimhen (19) Manager: Marco Rose

2028/29 season

There were high profile signings as Rose looked to deliver long-awaited success as Real Madrid’s Arda Guler and Manchester City keeper Ederson joined for a combined £89m. Surprisingly, Ederson would be Rose’s second choice as Gianluigi Donnarumma also joined on a free transfer after leaving Saudi side Al-Nassr.

United regressed in the league with a sixth placed finish and exited the FA Cup and Champions League earlier than expected.

But, more importantly, there was silverware! The Carabao Cup may not mean much to some but to Newcastle it was the end of a long wait as Roque and Osimhen netted in a 2-1 win against Manchester City.

Final Premier League position: 6th FA Cup: 5th Round (0-1 home to Liverpool) Carabao Cup: Winners (2-1 v Manchester City) European competition: Champions League Round of 16 (1-5 agg v Bayern Munich) Top goalscorer: Vitor Roque (26) Manager: Marco Rose

2029/30 season

Rose introduced some youth into his side as Leicester City left-back Christopher Araque and Manchester United midfielder Jermaine Flemming joined at a combined cost of £89m.

Their signings inspired some progress as United returned to the top four but there was another piece of silverware as Rose led the Magpies to the Europa League Final and they lifted the trophy as Roque netted twice in a win over Juve.

Final Premier League position: 4th FA Cup: Fifth Round (1-2 at Aston Villa) Carabao Cup: Third Round (1-3 at Aston Villa) European competition: Europa League Winners (2-1 v Juventus) UEFA Super Cup: Runners-Up (0-2 v Bayern Munich) Top goalscorer: Vitor Roque (30) Manager: Marco Rose

2030/31 season

With Rose now firmly established at St James Park and his squad looking settled, the incomings were more about padding out the squad as Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Yaser Asprilla joined for £81m and Atletico Madrid left-back came in for £40m.

Another year in the Champions League was secured with a fourth placed finish but it was disappointment across all cup competitions as United suffered quarter-final defeats in the FA Cup, Champions League and Carabao Cup.

Final Premier League position: 4th FA Cup: Quarter-Final (0-1 at Liverpool) Carabao Cup: Quarter-Final (1-2 home to Leeds United) European competition: Champions League Quarter-Final (2-6 agg v Liverpool) Top goalscorer: Vitor Roque (30) Manager: Marco Rose

2031/32 season

As anyone that has played Football Manager will now, more newly generated players appear as the years roll on. That means a raft of unknown names arrived at St James Park as Rose landed Atletic Bilbao full-back Rafa Navarro, Lazio winger Nicolino Di Benedetto, Argentina U21 international Denis Martinez and Mexican prospect Mishel Divas joined for over £100m.

A youthful looking Magpies side moves up to third place in the Premier League but narrowly missed out on a first ever Champions League final after suffering a semi-final defeat against Liverpool.

Final Premier League position: 3rd FA Cup: Quarter-Final (1-2 at Leeds United) Carabao Cup: Fourth Round (1-2 home to Brentford) European competition: Champions League Semi-Final (2-4 agg v Liverpool) Top goalscorer: Vitor Roque (26) Manager: Marco Rose

2032/33 season

Rose opted for evolution rather than revolution as he opted against moving into the transfer market and gave his youngsters another chance to flourish. His reward was to be further silverware as he led Newcastle to their first FA Cup Final win since 1955 after Roque netted twice in a 2-1 Wembley win against Aston Villa.

A semi-final defeat against PSG ended thoughts of a Champions League Final appearance but with Brazil star Roque providing the goals and Rose’s youngsters development, it surely can’t be long before more silverware arrives.

Final Premier League position: 5th FA Cup: Winners (2-1 v Aston Villa) Carabao Cup: Third Round (1-4 at Ipswich Town) European competition: Champions League Semi-Final (2-3 agg v PSG) Top goalscorer: Vitor Roque (26) Manager: Marco Rose