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.
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"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."
