Kieran Trippier has emphasized that Newcastle’s Carabao Cup triumph will not deter the team from their primary objective of securing Champions League qualification this season.
As vice-captain and a key figure in the club’s leadership group, Trippier is determined to ensure his teammates remain focused. “Myself and the rest of the leadership group will keep everybody level-headed,” he stated, making it clear that despite their recent success, the squad has not yet reached legendary status.
While celebrating their victory, Trippier stressed the importance of maintaining perspective. “We’ll enjoy the occasion, but the most important thing is that we’ve got 10 games left and we want to finish in the top four. You don’t want to get carried away. It’s all about building, and we’ve got a big run-in ahead.”
Although their Wembley victory against Liverpool was a historic moment, the broader goal remains unchanged. Winning a major domestic trophy for the first time since 1955 is a significant psychological boost, but the push for Champions League qualification remains the ultimate priority.
Manager Eddie Howe, who extended his contract until 2028 despite interest from the Football Association regarding the England job, has financial incentives tied to Newcastle’s success. His current salary of approximately £6 million per year, excluding bonuses, could rise to nearly £10 million if the team qualifies for Europe’s premier competition.
Newcastle currently sit in sixth place, just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand. Given the current standings, finishing in fifth place is expected to be sufficient for Champions League qualification. Securing a place in the tournament would allow the club, under Saudi Arabian ownership and constrained by Premier League financial regulations, to strengthen their squad significantly. It could also play a crucial role in persuading Alexander Isak, the team’s highly valued Swedish striker, to extend his contract.
Howe, his coaching staff, and players not on international duty are set to travel to Dubai for a brief period of rest and warm-weather training. Earlier, Howe posed for photos with the Carabao Cup on the tarmac at Newcastle airport before departing from London. The trophy will be showcased in a celebratory open-top bus parade through the streets of Newcastle on Saturday, March 29.
Reflecting on their journey, Trippier acknowledged that lessons from their Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United two years ago played a crucial role in their success. “The first time was too emotional,” he admitted. “We were calmer before this final, more relaxed. We had been in this situation before and knew how to handle it.”
One strategic change that contributed to their victory was the decision to stay in a luxury Hertfordshire hotel near Watford before the game, rather than at the Wembley Hilton, where they had stayed two years prior.
“I’ve played in many finals in my career, and when you stay so close to the stadium, the supporters are there, and for players who have never played in a final before, it becomes emotional,” Trippier explained. “It can take a lot out of you, a lot of energy.”
With their Carabao Cup triumph secured, Newcastle remain determined to finish in the top four, ensuring their return to the Champions League and securing further opportunities for growth and success.
