Newcastle United
the Magpies.

Newcastle United First-Team Squad

Eddie Howe’s Magpies are captained by the influential Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães, with England goalkeeper Nick Pope behind a robust defence featuring Sven Botman and local hero Dan Burn. Summer signings Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade lead the line, while Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes provide pace on the flanks at St James’ Park.

Squad correct as of the summer 2026 window, which runs until 1 September — numbers and personnel may change. Follow every Newcastle fixture and prediction at AI Pro Prediction and our Premier League predictions hub.

Newcastle United: A Complete Guide to the Magpies

Origins and Identity

Newcastle United Football Club were formed in 1892 and are one of the most famous, best-supported and historically significant clubs in English football. Based in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in the north-east of England, and playing at their iconic St James’ Park stadium, Newcastle — known as the Magpies or the Toon — are a club with a rich history, a fanatically loyal fanbase and a passionate connection to their region that is among the strongest in the game.

Playing in their famous black-and-white striped shirts, Newcastle United are renowned for the extraordinary passion and devotion of their supporters, the famed Toon Army, whose noise, colour and loyalty are legendary throughout world football. The club’s identity is inseparable from the city and the wider north-east of England, and the bond between Newcastle United and its people is one of the most powerful and emotional in the entire sport, defining the club as a true institution of English football.

A Storied History

Newcastle United enjoyed their greatest period of dominance in the early twentieth century, when the club won four league titles and reached multiple FA Cup finals, establishing itself as one of the powerhouses of English football. The club also has a proud FA Cup heritage, having won the famous old trophy six times, and its exploits in that competition, particularly during a successful spell in the 1950s, are a cherished part of its history.

The club’s most recent major honours before the modern era came in the mid-twentieth century, with the last FA Cup triumph in 1955 and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup — a forerunner of the Europa League — in 1969. These achievements confirmed Newcastle’s status as one of the grand old institutions of the English and European game, and the treasured memories of these glory years sustained the club’s passionate support through the long wait for silverware that followed.

Newcastle Season-by-Season: Recent Premier League Record

The table below charts Newcastle United’s Premier League finishes across recent seasons, illustrating the club’s transformation under the ownership of the Saudi-backed consortium and the management of Eddie Howe, including qualification for the Champions League and the historic EFL Cup triumph of 2025.

As the data shows, Newcastle were transformed from relegation strugglers into a top-four club under Eddie Howe following the takeover by the Public Investment Fund-led consortium. The Magpies qualified for the Champions League, won the EFL Cup in 2025 — their first major domestic trophy in 70 years — and, despite a more challenging 12th-placed finish in 2025–26, have re-established themselves as one of the significant forces in English football.

The Historic 2025 EFL Cup Triumph

The single greatest moment in Newcastle United’s modern history came in March 2025, when the club won the EFL Cup, defeating Liverpool 2–1 in the final at Wembley to end an agonising 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy. Goals from the local hero Dan Burn and the star striker Alexander Isak sealed a famous victory and sparked scenes of unbridled joy among the Newcastle faithful, ending one of the longest trophy droughts in English football. Burn, a boyhood Newcastle supporter from the region, scoring in the final made the triumph all the more poignant and storybook for the black-and-white faithful.

The triumph was a moment of enormous historical significance for a club and a fanbase that had waited so long for silverware, their last major domestic trophy having been the FA Cup of 1955. Newcastle’s inspirational captain Bruno Guimarães lifted the trophy amid emotional scenes of celebration, and manager Eddie Howe earned his place in the club’s history by delivering the honour that generations of Newcastle supporters had craved. Howe became the first English manager to win a major domestic trophy in many years, a personal milestone to match the club’s historic achievement. The EFL Cup victory was a landmark achievement and a defining moment in the club’s modern resurgence. Follow all of Newcastle’s matches with our Premier League match predictions throughout the season.

Newcastle United’s Major Honours

Newcastle United are one of the most decorated clubs in the history of English football, with a trophy cabinet that reflects the club’s glory years in the early twentieth century and its historic EFL Cup triumph of the modern era. The full breakdown of the club’s major honours is charted below, headlined by four league titles and six FA Cups.

This impressive collection, headlined by four top-flight league titles, six FA Cups and the historic EFL Cup of 2025, underlines Newcastle United’s status as one of the grand old institutions of English football. While the club endured a long wait for major silverware, the EFL Cup triumph confirmed the resurgence of the modern era, and the proud record of achievement reflects the club’s standing as one of the most historically significant in the English game.

The Saudi Takeover and Transformation

A transformative moment in Newcastle United’s history came in 2021, when a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund completed the takeover of the club, ending the long and unpopular ownership of the previous regime. The takeover brought enormous financial resources and ambition to Newcastle, sparking a remarkable transformation from a club fighting relegation into one capable of competing for a place among the elite of English football.

The new ownership, combined with the appointment of Eddie Howe, propelled Newcastle up the Premier League table, into the Champions League and, ultimately, to the historic EFL Cup triumph of 2025. The transformation reignited the passion of the Newcastle faithful and restored a sense of belief and ambition at the club. The takeover has been the subject of significant discussion within the game, but for Newcastle supporters, it heralded the beginning of an exciting new era of success and possibility. Overnight, the club was transformed from one drifting near the foot of the table into one with the resources to dream of competing at the very top.

The Eddie Howe Era

The appointment of Eddie Howe as manager in November 2021 was a pivotal moment in Newcastle United’s modern resurgence. Howe, who had earned an outstanding reputation for his work at Bournemouth, guiding them from the lower divisions to the Premier League, took charge of a Newcastle side in the relegation zone and transformed the club’s fortunes, keeping them up before leading them into the Champions League and to the historic EFL Cup triumph.

Under Howe, Newcastle played dynamic, well-organised and effective football, and the manager got the very best out of his squad, developing players and building a team capable of competing at the highest level. His achievement in delivering the club’s first major domestic trophy in 70 years secured his place in Newcastle’s history. Despite the pressure that came with a more difficult 2025–26 campaign, Howe retained the backing of the club’s owners and continues to lead Newcastle in their pursuit of sustained success.

St James’ Park: The Cathedral on the Hill

St James’ Park, Newcastle United’s home since the club’s foundation, is one of the most iconic and atmospheric stadiums in English football. Situated dramatically in the heart of Newcastle city centre, the ground — sometimes described as “the Cathedral on the Hill” — is renowned for the passion and intensity of its atmosphere, generated by the fanatically loyal Toon Army. St James’ Park on a big night is one of the great experiences in English football. The wall of black-and-white noise that greets the Teams, and the passion that pours down from the stands, is unlike almost anywhere else in the country.

The connection between St James’ Park, the club and the city is profound, with the stadium standing as a symbol of Newcastle’s identity and its central place in the life of the region. As the club looks to build on its resurgence, there are ambitions to redevelop and expand St James’ Park to increase its capacity and match the club’s renewed ambitions. Various plans have been discussed to modernise and enlarge the stadium, ensuring it remains one of the great arenas of English football for decades to come. The ground remains the beating heart of Newcastle United and one of the most beloved stadiums in the game.

Legendary Players Through the Ages

Newcastle United’s rich history is adorned with some of the most iconic and beloved players in the history of English football. The greatest of all is Alan Shearer, the club’s record goalscorer and the all-time leading scorer in the Premier League, a local hero who returned to his boyhood club and became a Newcastle legend. Shearer is revered on Tyneside and remains, without question, one of the most iconic and cherished figures in the entire history of the club.

Newcastle’s history also features legends such as the brilliant Jackie Milburn, a genuine icon of the club’s successful 1950s FA Cup-winning side, the mercurial and much-loved French forward David Ginola, the prolific and swashbuckling Malcolm Macdonald and, in the modern era, popular figures such as Bruno Guimarães and Alexander Isak. From the glory years through to the present day, Newcastle United have been represented by players of the highest calibre and greatest popularity, whose contributions have written the club’s distinguished history.

The Tyne-Wear and Other Rivalries

Newcastle United’s fiercest rivalry is the intense and passionate Tyne-Wear derby against north-east neighbours Sunderland, one of the most heated and significant fixtures in English football. Rooted in the deep-seated regional rivalry between the two cities, matches between Newcastle and Sunderland carry enormous significance for supporters of both clubs and are among the most fiercely contested derbies in the country.

The Tyne-Wear derby is a central part of Newcastle United’s identity, and victory over Sunderland is cherished by the Newcastle faithful. Bragging rights in the north-east are among the most fiercely coveted in all of English football, and derby days bring the entire region to a standstill. The club also shares rivalries with other north-east and northern clubs, including Middlesbrough. As one of the biggest clubs in English football, Newcastle regularly face the leading names in the game, but it is the intense local derby against Sunderland that stirs the deepest passions among the club’s fervent support.

The Toon Army

Newcastle United are renowned for having one of the largest, most loyal and most passionate fanbases in English football. The Toon Army, as the club’s supporters are known, are legendary throughout the game for their devotion, their noise and their unwavering loyalty, which endured through decades without major silverware. The passion of the Newcastle support, and its deep connection to the club and the region, is one of the most powerful in football.

This extraordinary support is one of Newcastle United’s greatest assets and a defining feature of the club. The loyalty of the Toon Army, who fill St James’ Park and follow the club in huge numbers, creates an atmosphere among the most fervent in English football. The emotional bond between the club and its supporters, forged over more than a century and rewarded at last by the EFL Cup triumph, is at the very heart of what Newcastle United represents as one of the great institutions of the English game.

The Road to Wembley Glory

Newcastle United’s triumphant run to the 2025 EFL Cup was a journey that captured the imagination of the entire Toon Army. On their way to Wembley, Eddie Howe’s side overcame a series of tough opponents, defeating Nottingham Forest, Wimbledon, Chelsea and Brentford before a memorable semi-final victory over Arsenal secured their place in the final. Each round built the anticipation and belief that this could finally be the club’s year to end its long trophy drought.

The semi-final triumph over Arsenal, in particular, convinced the Newcastle faithful that their long wait might at last be over. Overcoming one of the strongest sides in the country over two legs was the moment belief truly took hold across Tyneside. Having reached the final, the Magpies faced the daunting challenge of overcoming Liverpool, the reigning holders and Premier League leaders, but Newcastle produced a superb, committed performance to claim a famous victory. The road to Wembley glory was a stirring adventure that ended in the historic silverware the club and its supporters had craved for so long.

The Alan Shearer Legacy

No player is more revered in Newcastle United’s history than Alan Shearer. A local hero, born and raised in Newcastle, Shearer fulfilled a boyhood dream by joining his hometown club and went on to become the greatest player in its modern history. His remarkable goalscoring prowess made him the club’s all-time record scorer and the leading goalscorer in Premier League history, a record that stands as a monument to one of the finest strikers the English game has ever produced. Shearer’s tally of Premier League goals remains unbeaten and is widely regarded as one of the sport’s most enduring individual records.

Shearer’s loyalty to Newcastle, his goalscoring exploits and his status as a local hero cemented his place as an icon not only of the club but of the entire north-east region. He is revered on Tyneside, commemorated by a statue outside St James’ Park, and remains a beloved figure whose contribution to Newcastle United’s history is immeasurable. The Shearer legacy embodies the deep connection between the club and its region and the values of loyalty and passion that define Newcastle United.

Playing Philosophy Under Howe

Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle United developed an energetic, well-organised and effective style of football that transformed the club into a top-four side and cup winners. Howe’s teams were known for their intensity, their pressing, their pace in transition and their strong defensive organisation, a combination that made Newcastle a formidable and difficult opponent for even the biggest clubs in the country and in Europe.

Howe’s ability to improve players and to forge a cohesive, committed team was central to Newcastle’s resurgence, and his tactical acumen delivered both Champions League qualification and the historic EFL Cup triumph. As the club looks to build on its success, maintaining the intensity, organisation and quality that characterised the best of the Howe era will be crucial. The manager’s clear footballing philosophy has been a key factor in Newcastle’s transformation into a genuine force in English football.

European Nights at St James’ Park

Newcastle United’s return to the Champions League under Eddie Howe brought European nights back to St James’ Park for the first time in many years, and the atmosphere generated by the Toon Army on those occasions was extraordinary. The sight and sound of a packed St James’ Park under the lights for a Champions League match was a powerful reminder of the club’s stature and the passion of its support, and it announced Newcastle’s return to the elite of the European game.

These European nights were a source of enormous pride for the Newcastle faithful, who had long dreamed of seeing their club compete against the best in Europe once more. The club has a proud European heritage, having won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969, and the return to the Champions League represented the fulfilment of a long-held ambition. As Newcastle look to establish themselves among the European elite, more memorable nights at St James’ Park are the goal for the club and its supporters.

The Long Wait for Silverware

For 70 years, Newcastle United and their supporters endured an agonising wait for a major domestic trophy, a drought that became one of the longest and most painful in English football. Since the FA Cup triumph of 1955, the club had suffered a succession of near-misses and heartbreaks, including FA Cup final defeats and League Cup final losses, each one deepening the longing of the Newcastle faithful for the silverware their loyalty deserved.

The long wait made the EFL Cup triumph of 2025 all the sweeter, as decades of frustration and disappointment were finally swept away in a moment of pure joy at Wembley. For generations of Newcastle supporters who had dreamed of seeing their club win a trophy, the victory over Liverpool was an emotional release of enormous magnitude. The ending of the 70-year drought was not merely a sporting achievement but a moment of profound significance for the entire Newcastle community. Grown supporters wept in the stands, and the celebrations across Tyneside stretched long into the night and beyond.

A Club and Its City

Few clubs in world football are as deeply intertwined with their city as Newcastle United. The club is at the very heart of life in Newcastle upon Tyne and the wider north-east of England, and the bond between the Magpies and their people is one of the most powerful and emotional in the sport. For the people of Tyneside, Newcastle United is far more than a football club; it is a source of identity, pride and passion that runs through the generations.

This profound connection between the club and its city is embodied by St James’ Park, standing proudly in the heart of Newcastle, and by the fanatical devotion of the Toon Army. The emotional investment of the Newcastle support, and the way the fortunes of the club shape the mood of the city, are extraordinary. This deep bond between Newcastle United and the north-east is central to the club’s identity and one of the defining features of its remarkable story.

The Bruno Guimarães Era

Among the key figures in Newcastle United’s modern resurgence is the Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães, who has become one of the most important and beloved players of the Eddie Howe era. A signing who arrived following the takeover, Guimarães developed into an outstanding midfielder and an inspirational captain, lifting the historic EFL Cup trophy and embodying the ambition and quality of the transformed Newcastle side.

Guimarães’ talent, leadership and passion have made him a firm favourite with the Newcastle faithful and a symbol of the club’s modern rise. His performances in the heart of midfield have been central to Newcastle’s success, and his commitment to the club has endeared him to supporters who value loyalty and character. As one of the standout players of the resurgence, Guimarães represents the ambition and quality that Newcastle now possess as they seek to build on their achievements.

Ambitions for Sustained Success

Having ended their long trophy drought and returned to the Champions League, Newcastle United’s ambitions now extend to establishing themselves as a durable force at the top of English and European football. Backed by the enormous resources of their ownership, the club aims to compete consistently for the Champions League places, to challenge for major honours and to build a period of sustained success worthy of its rich history and passionate support.

Achieving these ambitions will require continued investment, shrewd recruitment and the building of a squad capable of competing at the highest level season after season, while navigating the financial regulations of the modern game. Balancing ambition with the constraints of the sport’s financial rules represents one of the key challenges facing the club’s hierarchy. The foundations laid under Eddie Howe, combined with the club’s resources and its extraordinary support, provide a strong platform. The dream of the Newcastle faithful is to see their club establish itself among the elite and to enjoy the sustained success that has eluded it for so long.

The Newcastle Community

Newcastle United are deeply rooted in the north-east of England, and the club’s connection to its community is a fundamental part of its identity. Through the Newcastle United Foundation and its extensive community programmes, the club uses its profile and resources to support local causes and to make a positive impact across the region, reflecting its commitment to the communities from which it draws its fanatically loyal support.

This bond between the club and its community, forged over more than a century, is one of Newcastle United’s greatest strengths. The pride that the people of Newcastle and the north-east take in their club, and the loyalty they have shown through both the glory years and the long wait for silverware, are central to the Newcastle United story. The deep connection to place, community and regional identity remains at the very heart of what Newcastle United represents.

The Isak Factor

The Swedish striker Alexander Isak emerged as one of the standout players of Newcastle United’s resurgence, a forward of exceptional quality whose goals were central to the club’s success. His decisive strike in the 2025 EFL Cup final helped end the club’s 70-year trophy drought, cementing his place in Newcastle’s history and confirming his status as one of the most talented forwards in the Premier League during his time at the club.

Isak’s elegance, pace and clinical finishing made him a firm favourite with the Newcastle faithful and a key figure in the club’s transformation under Eddie Howe. His contributions in the biggest matches, none more important than the EFL Cup final, exemplified the quality that Newcastle were able to attract and develop in the modern era. The Isak factor was an important element of the club’s resurgence and its return to the upper reaches of English football.

Looking Ahead

As Newcastle United look to build on their modern resurgence under Eddie Howe, the club’s ambitions are as high as they have been in generations. Backed by the enormous resources of its ownership, inspired by the historic EFL Cup triumph and roared on by the fanatical Toon Army, Newcastle aim to compete consistently for the Champions League places and to challenge for further major honours. Having tasted silverware once more, the appetite among the club and its supporters for further success has only grown. For a club with such a rich history and passionate support, the goal is to build a period of sustained success worthy of its stature. The Magpies, backed by their devoted supporters in the black and white of Tyneside, look to the future with belief and ambition, dreaming of more glorious nights at St James’ Park and further silverware to add to the historic triumph of 2025. After 70 years of waiting, the Toon Army now dares to dream of a genuine era of sustained glory on Tyneside. Follow all the latest Newcastle fixtures and predictions throughout the campaign.