Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
Sean McCormick

Laurent Robert's Newcastle Champions League hope and pays tribute to 'father' Sir Bobby Robson

Newcastle United legend Laurent Robert is hopeful the Magpies can build on their momentous 2022/23 campaign under Eddie Howe next season.

Robert, who played for Newcastle between 2001 and 2005, was speaking about his former side at the annual Sir Bobby Robson Foundation golf event in Portugal, with the Frenchman 'very happy' to be at the golf day in honour of his former boss.

The 48-year-old was part of the last Newcastle side to play in the Champions League back in 2003, describing Robson as a 'father' figure.

And with Newcastle set to return to European football's premier competition next season, Robert was only happy to reflect on his successful time on Tyneside.

READ MORE: Anthony Gordon revelation will excite Newcastle as team-mate blown away by 'electric' attribute

"It has been a long time, 20 years ago. I am very happy, the team is good under the new chairman," Robert told Sky Sports News

"Before me you had David Ginola and many French players - Didier Domi, Alain Goma, Olivier Bernard - it was a good moment in Newcastle to play in the Champions League and the Europa League.

"I played with great players. Alan Shearer, Gary Speed, Rob Lee, many, many players and at this moment Newcastle are very good and I hope they can play every year in the Champions League."

The Magpies are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer and are closing in on a bumper move for AC Milan Sandro Tonali. And Robert hopes a strong transfer window can help Howe's men build on last season's fourth placed finish this term.

"We need money and after that you need good players. If you have money like Paris it is different but in Newcastle it is much more different because they have huge support and the fans are fantastic.

"They played very good last season and I hope this season they can maybe do the same or better."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.