Newcastle United invited to new Super-Champions League?

New reports claim that Newcastle United have been invited to compete in what might be a new Champions League tournament in 2024.

A new report from the Shields Gazette earlier today claims that Newcastle United are one of nine Premier League teams that have been consulted about the new Super-Champions League tournament which is expected to begin in 2024. The other eight clubs, which are also members of the European Club Association (ECA), are the standard top six, Everton and Leicester City. The ECA is still in talks with UEFA over the formation of the new tournament.

Andrea Agnelli, the Chairman of both the ECA and Juventus, says that some elite European clubs have accepted this new-look Champions League tournament, but the ECA is waiting to see how several other clubs feel about the proposed changes to the tournament. Agnelli went on to make the following statements:

"We are at the beginning of the process, and we must take more time to analyse all the proposals.[…]The new Champions League is pure speculation at this time. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus want to play the competition, but also hundreds of other teams.[…]We are talking and in a few months we will see if the new competition will be open for everyone. The process will be open and transparent, as was the meeting with UEFA."

Good News for Newcastle

The Toon joined the ECA before Mike Ashley bought the club and it looks like their decision to join the ECA is being rewarded with a prestigious invitation to compete in the Champions League in a few years. Newcastle have been in decline over the last few years and it has been seven years since they last competed in a European tournament.

The Magpies have spent the last few years either playing in the EFL Championship or avoiding relegation in the Premier League. Newcastle have an experienced manager with a proven track record, an amazing fanbase and a large stadium, but they need more investment to elevate their status and level of competition. Benitez aims to turn Newcastle into a top eight side and earn their place in a European competition, but this invitation is good news for the club, especially for financial and branding purposes.

With negotiations still in the early stages, we can only wait and see what happens. For now, though, Newcastle have more pressing issues to deal with, such as Benitez’s contract extension and what do with five or six key players heading into the summer.