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‘Newcastle United pull big summer U-turn after beasting’
Keith Wyness
3 – 4 minutes
Keith Wyness
Sat 3 May 2025 8:00, UK
Newcastle United are reportedly close to finalising their pre-season slate of fixtures ahead of a potential 2025-26 campaign in the Champions League.
According to the i paper (28 April), Newcastle are set to confirm an away clash at Celtic in addition to a tour of Asia in July.
However, it is claimed there will be no repeat of their controversial post-season trip to Australia – which saw them play two games just days after the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
That trip prompted criticism from environmental groups and the report claims there was a mixed reaction in the dressing room – with a number of stars also involved in the European Championships and Copa America last year (2024).
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has revealed why Newcastle have pulled a U-turn on jetting out for a lucrative post-season game this year.
Bruno Guimaraes playing for Newcastle
Newcastle’s post-season trip was met with mixed reactions from the dressing room. (Credit: Imago)
Newcastle right to axe ‘brutal’ post-season trip, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has insisted any revenue Newcastle would have got “pales in insignificance” compared to the importance of getting their transfer business right this summer.
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The Magpies sit third in the Premier League table with four games remaining – with the top five clubs progressing to the league phase of the Champions League next term.
Position Team Played Points GD
1 Liverpool (C) 34 82 48
2 Arsenal 34 67 34
3 Newcastle 34 62 21
4 Man City 34 61 23
5 Chelsea 34 60 19
Premier League table (as of 01/05/2025)
Wyness insisted axing the “brutal” post-season trip was the right decision.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Last year, Newcastle got a lot of criticism for going to Australia.
“They basically didn’t have a break, put the players on a plane after the season finished and went down there.
“That’s the bit they’ll miss out this year, and I think that’s quite right.
“They will still go to Japan and Korea in the normal pre-season.
“It was brutal last season, and it’s not good for the mindset of the players – regardless of the revenue involved.
“I think it’s the right thing to do.
“There’ll be enough chances for revenue going forward, and it’s more important that they get the squad right ahead of the new season. They’ve got a great chance of Champions League football.
“That has made £2-3million from any post-season game pale in insignificance when compared to getting the transfers right.”
Photo Credit: Imago
Newcastle make ‘huge’ Lewis Miley decision
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (25 April) that Newcastle have “huge hopes” for Lewis Miley and have no plans to let the midfielder leave this summer.
The 19-year-old has firmly established himself as a member of Eddie Howe‘s first-team squad at St. James’ Park.
Miley, who is under contract until June 2029, has made just 17 appearances at the senior level this season.
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