Eddie Howe has admitted that it was a 'very emotional night' after a number of Newcastle United players and staff potentially said farewell to St James' Park after the Magpies qualified for the Champions League.
Newcastle are back at Europe's top table for the first time in 20 years following a goalless draw against Leicester City. No wonder the squad and backroom team alike savoured every moment of the lap of honour after the game as they made their way around the pitch with their families.
Among those on the lap was highly-regarded coach analyst Mark Leyland, who will join the City Football Group this summer, and part-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi took the former Liverpool man aside to give him a hug on Monday night. A number of players could end up following Leyland out of the club as this rebuild enters its next phase.
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Indeed, there are doubts about the long-term futures of several fringe players, including Loris Karius, Martin Dubravka, Jamal Lewis and Javier Manquillo. Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Ritchie and Matt Targett, meanwhile, must also weigh up whether to stay and fight for their places or go in search for more regular football elsewhere in the coming months.
Given what so many of these individuals have done for the club, both on the pitch and behind the scenes, this was an especially emotional night. It may yet prove a St James' goodbye for some.
"There's always emotion," Howe told reporters. "Although I'm not outwardly emotional, inwardly, I am. A very emotional night for everyone, really.
"Whether you have played the game or not, you are part of something very special that hopefully will be talked about for years to come at a club that has an incredible history and that we're all really proud to represent. I'm sure I'm speaking on behalf of the staff members that are leaving and the players that may move on, because it's football, when I say that it's been an amazing season and an amazing squad to be a part of."
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