Newcastle United have secured European football for next season after their 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
The win guarantees them a place in the UEFA Conference League playoff round, ensuring continental competition regardless of their final Premier League position, and surely relieving the players of the massive pressure under their shoulders not to fail to get there for the second year in a row.
Btw, Newcastle also qualified for Europe today.
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) March 16, 2025
Newcastle could still aim higher, however.
A top-four finish in the league would secure a Champions League place, while fifth—depending on England’s coefficient ranking—could also offer a route into Europe’s elite competition.
If Newcastle finish outside those places but within the top six or seven, they could qualify for the Europa League, especially if the FA Cup winner has already earned a Champions League spot.
If Newcastle clinches a Champions League or Europa League spot via the Premier League, their Conference League place would be handed down to the next-highest-ranked team in the table not already qualified for Europe.
Winning the Carabao Cup ensures European football, but the hope is for Howe’s side to push to return to the Champions League, knowing that finishing as low as 11th in the Premier League could still mean European qualification if results elsewhere align.