Last season: 12th.
It’s been a bruising summer on Tyneside. Key players have been sold, and the manager who secured the first domestic silverware in 70 years has departed.
A demanding assignment now awaits newcomer Matthias Jaissle.
With Eddie Howe, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes leaving St James’ Park, the Saudi-backed project has lost momentum, fuelling uncertainty and instability.
Newcastle missed out on several priority transfer targets, though Lukas Hornicek has arrived from Braga to shore up the goalkeeping position, and Monaco’s Aladji Bamba looks a promising midfield addition.
There’s similar upside with Dutch midfielder Sean Steur, 18, signed from Ajax, and 20-year-old Ivorian winger Bazoumana Toure, recruited from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.
Defender Amar Dedic has also joined from Benfica, reuniting with Jaissle after their 2023 Austrian title success at Red Bull Salzburg.
With Tonali and Guimaraes gone, an experienced midfielder is essential; Joao Palhinha has been linked after a move for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fell through.
Jaissle needs a fast start — and more reinforcements — to calm the Toon Army’s nerves.