Former Newcastle United star hails ‘amazing’ Magpies supporters and makes ‘success’ claim

Former Newcastle United star Georginio Wijnaldum believes the Magpies ‘deserve’ success as his old club prepare to end their 20-year absence from the Champions League.

The Netherlands international left St James Park in the aftermath of relegation from the Premier League as he joined Liverpool in a reported £25m move as he embarked on a highly-successful stay on the red half of Merseyside. Wijnaldum won the Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during a five-year stay at Anfield before going on to spend time at Paris Saint-Germain and Roma.

As the midfielder enjoyed success away from Tyneside, his former club experienced something of a rollercoaster as they bounced back into the Premier League at the first time of asking before limited ambitions and investment left them looking over their shoulders at the relegation battle over the following seasons.

The landscape at St James Park changed in October 2021 when a Saudi-led consortium completed a protracted takeover of the club and their investment and decision to name Eddie Howe as successor to Steve Bruce have paid massive dividends.

The signings of the likes of England international Kieran Trippier, Brazil star Bruno Guimaraes and Wijnaldum’s new international team-mate Sven Botman have proved to be inspired as United surprised everyone by securing a top four place last season and returning to the Champions League for the first time in two decades.

Speaking after the Netherlands Nations League semi-final defeat against Croatia, former Magpies midfielder Wijnaldum said of United’s progress: “Really happy because Newcastle’s a really big team. I think a lot of people underestimate how big the club is and how loyal their supporters are.

“When I was there, I saw how hard they were trying to get results and to finish as high as possible and also the fans, who were standing by the team were amazing. So I think they deserve it. How they managed it throughout the years. I think they deserve how it is going right now.”

Wijnaldum and Botman will now face Italy in the third and fourth placed play-off on Sunday afternoon where the latter could make his senior international debut.