Newcastle United should be playing in the UEFA Champions League according to BetMGM’s new podcast, Adopted Geordies.
Responding to journalists’ pre-season predictions of a 6th-9th place finish for the club, podcast host Andy Jaye explained that he believes the club can qualify for the Champions League this season.
Co-host and People Just Do Nothing star, Asim Chaudhry agreed with the sentiment and added: “We should be in the Champions League, we are that sort of club. Some people call us deluded but we have that heritage, that history and the fans. Our fans are growing, there’s many more adopted Geordies by the day because people love Newcastle.”
He also recalled watching Newcastle beat Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 at St James’ Park alongside Geordie singing superstar Sam Fender, describing it as “one of the greatest moments of all time”.
Newcastle failed to qualify for the Champions League last season, finishing in seventh place. They have started this season with an opening-day win over Southampton followed by a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.
The Adopted Geordies podcast is so-called because neither Jaye nor Chaudhry are from Newcastle.
Jaye explained that his family is from the Northeast which is why he is a fan of the club, whereas Chaudhry had a slightly more unique route into following the Magpies.
He said: “I’ve loved the club since I was around seven or eight years old. People ask me why I support Newcastle and it’s because I love zebras. Being a bit of a weird kid and a performer from a young age I liked to stand out and I always looked at zebras and they stood out to me.
“I used to watch Football Italia and Juventus were a big team in the 90’s and I was drawn to them. I thought, I love Juventus but I can’t support an Italian team and then I just started watching Newcastle. In school one of my mates had a Newcastle shirt on and I was like wow and then I got into it.”
During the episode, the pair also picked the “Adopted Geordies Top 11” made up of their favourite players from throughout Newcastle’s history.
Notable names that made the team included a front two of record Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer alongside Peter Beardsley, as well as David Ginola on the left wing.
Jaye also promised that the podcast will have access to Newcastle’s training ground, players and staff thanks to its partnership with BetMGM, the official betting partner of the club.
The LeoVegas Group brand initially linked with the club in September 2023, and recently extended the partnership following an “exceptional” first year.
