Well, they’ve done it again. Much like with Kevin Keegan in 1993, Rafa Benitez’ men have won England’s second tier to claim a place in the Premier League.
In between though, the feat needed to be achieved again in 2010. After a disastrous Premier League campaign ended with a poor effort from the likes of Michael Owen on the final day, Newcastle were relegated and faced life in the Championship.
The club came straight back up that year and went on to do rather well in the top division, but where are they now? Here’s a look at Newcastle’s basic XI from that season and what they are doing now:
Although Harps went briefly to the ‘dark side’ for a short stint at Sunderland, he has since decided to quit playing. These days he is back at NUFC as the club’s academy goalkeeping coach.
Despite being ousted as the right-back in favour of Mathieu Debuchy, Simpson did something the Frenchman couldn’t and that’s winning the Premier League. Simpson is still Leicester’s right-back.
Following a failed spell in the US, Taylor is back in England and made 3 appearances at the back end of this season for Ipswich Town.
The skipper became a popular figure at the Toon but eventually got his wish to return to Argentina to be with his family. He currently plays for San Lorenzo.
The Spaniard inexplicably attempted to taunt the Newcastle fans, saying he left as he would not get into the top 6 with them. While at Liverpool, Newcastle achieved the top 6 and he didn’t! An uninspiring time at Liverpool ended last year and he is now with Zaragoza.
Routledge didn’t start the season in the squad but added great quality at this level. He has now made 183 appearances for Swansea City in the Premier League.
Still playing an active part at this level, Guthrie scored in the last game of this season for Blackburn at Brentford but it was not enough to save them from relegation.
Such a popular player at the time, Nolan is still a Magpie and is a manager these days at Notts County.
‘Spiderman’ was a cult hero on Tyneside and drew more support having battled cancer while at the club. The winger continues to play in Argentina with Defensa y Justicia.
The big centre-forward was just starting his career in earnest at this point and went on to fetch £35million for the club when signing for Liverpool. He’s settled now at West Ham having been there since 2013.
Another cult hero, the former Rangers forward did a great job at this level for the Toon and retired 3 years ago after a short spell with Birmingham City.
Hughton this season lost the Championship on the final day of the season as manager of Brighton, to Newcastle! It’s a funny old game. He will be a Premier League manager next season once again though and deservedly so.
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