- Dan Burn believes Newcastle can qualify for Europe
- English defender willing to accept Conference League
- Premier League set for a tight finish
Newcastle United’s start to 2026 has been far from ideal, with the team slumping down to 12th in the Premier League, coming off the back of a defeat on home soil to Sunderland, and they suffered a heavy loss to Barcelona in the Champions League.
In an interview with the Newcastle Chronicle, Geordie defender Dan Burn hopes that the Magpies can begin to climb up the table and claim a European spot.
The 33-year-old believes that the squad they have on Tyneside is too strong to miss out on Europe altogether, especially with all their concentration solely on the league.
Burn backs Magpie turnaround
Burn is one of several Magpies who were called up to England’s squad ahead of fixtures against Uruguay and Japan.
The veteran defender is keen to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad this summer, in what could be his last chance of representing his country at a major tournament.
However, Burn is ready to return to the North East as Eddie Howe’s side looks to turn wrongs into rights in what’s been an anticlimactic campaign:
“We are a better team when we have a week between games and have time to train.”
He said, “I am looking forward to getting back around the lads. We want to put in some really good training between now and the end of the season. And I’m hoping we can get a European place.”
The St James’ Park outfit have qualified for Europe twice under Howe, with both occasions coming in the Champions League.
Burn confirms that the chances of returning to the Champions League are slim, but he is confident they can at least get into the Conference League.
“That is looking pretty slim now. To get back-to-back European seasons would still be good for us. We have full belief in ourselves.”
Newcastle’s Mission
Newcastle sit in 12th, but they are just seven points behind fifth-place Liverpool, who are set to qualify for the Champions League due to England’s European coefficient.
They sit just two points behind ninth-place Fulham, and four points away from Europa League-chasing Brentford.
The race for European places is heating up, and Burn showed this is why he loves the league.
“It is still very tight in the Premier League. It is the type of league where everyone beats everyone. I’d still back us against anybody when we play well. We will be looking to turn around our form and really attack the end of the season.”
They travel to Selhurst Park when they come back from international duty, and if they are to keep pressure on the teams around them, a win against Crystal Palace could prove crucial.
