Newcastle United supporters will love what Mehrdad Ghodoussi said after Champions League exit

Newcastle United co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi has issued a passionate message to supporters following the club's exit from Europe.

Leading 1-0 at half-time against AC Milan courtesy of Joelinton's stunning opener, Eddie Howe's side had one foot in the last 16 of the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain drawing away to Borussia Dortmund.

PSG and Dortmund played out a 1-1 draw, meaning if the Magpies held out, second place in Group F was theirs. However, Christian Pulisic's equaliser saw United drop to third - a Europa League spot - before Samuel Chukwueze's 84th-minute winner condemned the Magpies to the bottom.

Despite being left shellshocked at the way the evening played out, the supporters stood to applaud Howe and his players at full-time as the Gallowgate End loudly chanted "Eddie Howe's black and white army" during the squad's post-match lap of honour.

Ghodoussi watched it all unfold from the directors' box and was quick to thank the fans for their support, as well as offer a timely reminder of the positive direction the club is heading in.

He posted on X: "Thank you to every one of you for your incredible support tonight. The team gave it their all and took us on an incredible journey these last few months. We deserved more, but this is football. We will pick ourselves up and focus on Saturday.

"We still have a long season ahead of us. As I’ve said before, we are building something special here and we will continue to grow. The future is bright."

In the two years since the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, PCP Partners and RB Sports & Media bought Newcastle from Mike Ashley in a £305million deal, Howe has overseen an incredible transformation, swiftly progressing from relegation candidates to qualifying for the Champions League.

United had to wait 20 years to see Champions League football return to St James' Park but you suspect it won't be anywhere near as long a wait amid PIF's lofty ambitions.

While Newcastle currently sit seven points off the Premier League top four, everything is still to play for in the remaining 22 games.