PIF’s bold Champions League plan at Newcastle United Women that nobody is talking about
Newcastle United Women face Sheffield United at the Gateshead International Stadium on Sunday.
Newcastle United Women are aiming to become Champions League regulars - an order that has been fired from the top.
While the men achieved European qualification in two out of the last three seasons, the Lasses are enjoying a meteoric rise of their own. Langley took charge of Newcastle in 2019 when the team were still operating under the Foundation’s banner.
Sitting in the fourth tier, Langley’s side are now one step away from the promised land of the Women’s Super League. The Magpies finished fifth in the Women’s Championship - rebranded as the Women’s Super League 2 this season - last year but an influx of seasoned names like Jordan Nobbs and Molly Pike has placed pressure on them to go up.
PIF want Champions League
Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s first home game at Gateshead International Stadium, Toon boss Langley revealed PIF’s Champions League dream. She said: “We want Champions League football for our women's team. That was the original ambition from our co-owners and owners a couple of years ago when they said they wanted that for the men and the women.
“We've just got to keep striving forward and, yeah, keep pushing to achieve those aims. But it will take absolutely everyone and it's not going to be plain sailing.”
‘Bold intentions’ - Becky Langley
“We've been really bold with our intentions,” Langley added. “Let's be really bold and ambitious. Why be shy about our intentions? We have invested and are working incredibly hard to make sure this team gets into the Women's Super League. I want to be really strong with those intentions and make that clear from the off.”
David Hopkinson attending Newcastle United opener
Newcastle confirmed David Hopkinson as the club’s CEO last week. The Canadian is expected to attend the clash against Sheffield United on Sunday and has been ambitious about the future.
“It means a lot that David's coming to our first home game,” Langley said. “I think it really shows his intentions regarding, you know, he really wants to support the women's team as well as the men's team and both the boys' and girls' academies.
“I've spoken with David. He's super passionate, really energetic, and he knows what it means to represent, you know, big football clubs. And I think, yeah, he's got that real passion to ensure that the women's team make it to the WSL as quickly as possible, and he wants to represent this community and club as best he can.”