Newcastle United handed Champions League boost after UEFA rule change - new coefficient explained
Newcastle United have already received a healthy boost to their UEFA coefficient following the 4-0 Champions League win v Union Saint-Gilloise.
Newcastle United picked up their biggest-ever Champions League win against Union Saint-Gilloise last week.
Nick Woltemade and Harvey Barnes scored either side of two Anthony Gordon penalties to help Eddie Howe’s side to a convincing win in Brussels.
It was also Newcastle’s first Champions League away win since a 2003 trip to Bayer Leverkusen.
In addition to the three points in their Champions League group phase campaign, Newcastle also received a helpful boost to their UEFA coefficient score which could help in future tournaments.
Newcastle’s two Champions League ventures in recent seasons have seen them drawn in pot four, the lowest pot, due to a lack of recent success on the continent.
The Magpies didn’t have a coefficient score the last time they were in the Champions League and were drawn into a ‘group of death’ alongside AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
The change in format to a 36-team group phase means the coefficients and pots are not quite as punishing this time around as every club must face two teams from either pot regardless.
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Newcastle United’s UEFA coefficient explained
Newcastle’s previous Champions League campaign, which saw them beat PSG 4-1, draw 1-1 with them away and draw 0-0 at AC Milan, granted them a coefficient score of 8.000 despite finishing bottom of the group.
Newcastle received 4.000 for entering the Champions League group stage, 2.000 for beating PSG and 1.000 apiece for the two draws.
But the change in format has given more weight to Champions League qualification this time around.
Newcastle United received 6.000 coefficient points for entering the Champions League group phase this season.
Teams in the Europa League or Conference League don’t receive such a boost and can only accumulate points for winning or drawing matches.
Newcastle's 4-0 win over Union SG has granted them a further 2.000 points, meaning their coefficient score has already equalled the score from the 2023/24 Champions League campaign.
And with more games to play this season and the potential of qualifying out of the group, Newcastle’s coefficient score has the potential to increase significantly.
Newcastle’s current UEFA club coefficient, which combines all coefficient scores from the previous five seasons, stands at 16.000.
As this is below the Premier League’s base coefficient (currently 19.512), Newcastle’s coefficient for draws is that of the Premier League rather than its individual standing. Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, who have no recent history in Europe prior to this season, also have the default Premier League coefficient.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa, who reached the quarter-final of the Champions League and semi-final of the Conference League in each of the last two seasons, have a strong coefficient of 51.250.
West Ham United, despite not being in Europe in each of the last two seasons, have a coefficient of 69.000 having won the Conference League in 2023.
Another two wins for Newcastle in the Champions League are likely to be enough to surpass the Premier League base coefficient and finally give the club a coefficient of its own recognised by UEFA.
Having a strong coefficient may not help Newcastle massively in terms of future draws, but it will help England’s country coefficient which could lead to more Champions League places in the future.
The strong performance of English clubs in Europe last season saw the Premier League granted an extra Champions League place through the European Performance Spot, which saw Newcastle qualify for the competition despite finishing fifth.
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English club coefficients ranked
Here is a ranking of all English clubs based on their coefficient (coefficients will update following the next round of European fixtures):
1. Manchester City - 111.750
2. Liverpool - 109.500
3. Arsenal - 85.000
4. Chelsea - 84.000
5. Manchester United - 76.500
6. West Ham United - 69.000
7. Tottenham Hotspur - 64.250
8. Aston Villa - 51.250
-------Club with less than the Premier League default coefficient-------
9. Newcastle United - 16.000
10. Brighton & Hove Albion - 16.000
11. Leicester City - 13.000
12. Crystal Palace - 2.000
13. Nottingham Forest - 1.000