Newcastle United made it through to the last 16 of the EUFA cup on Thursday with a hard fought 1-0 win over Zulte-Waregem to win the tie 4-1 overall.

Obefemi Martins scored his 14^th goal of the season to take Newcastle through. While Newcastle did not play particularly well they showed they can win on an off night – a sign of all good teams.

However, they now have to face Dutch side AZ Alkmaar - who are managed by the great Louis van Gaal. This will be a much more difficult tie for the Geordies who will have to play a lot better to ensure their passage through to the quarter finals. Glenn Roeder is certainly looking forward to pitting his wits against van Gaal whom he considers one of the best coaches in the world.

Louis van Gaal was Ajax manager from 1991 until 1997 when Ajax were Eredivisie champion three times (1994, 1995, 1996). Ajax won the UEFA Cup in 1992 and the UEFA Champions League in 1995. In 1995, Ajax beat Brazilian side Gremio to win the Toyota Cup and so become world club champions. In 1997, van Gaal moved to manage Barcelona where they won two league championships under his command.

He has managed AZ Alkmaar since 2005 and he certainly has the background and credentials as a great coach and currently AZ Alkmaar are doing well and placed third in the Eredivisie.
Glenn Roeder has also shown that he can guide Newcastle in Europe having won 9 of the 12 European ties (Inter-Toto and UEFA) and drawn the other 3 this season.

Glenn also has the second best winning percentage of any Newcastle manager even though he has only been in charge just over a year.

Kevin Keegan is at the top with a 56% win record, with Roeder next in line, winning 52% of his 62 games in charge with 32 victories.

Sir Bobby Robson finished with a 47% winning record.

Roeder also knows there is still a lot to be done to progress to the quarter-finals but with injured players returning. Newcastle have an excellent chance of ending their season in style – much like last season. (Is it possible Newcastle can win the UEFA cup this year?).

The next step will be to keep progressing up the premier table by capturing three points at Wigan on Sunday – which will not be easy - but will be expected by Geordie fans - given Newcastle’s current good form in the league.

Seventh place should guarantee Newcastle entry into the UEFA cup next season and that should be eminently possible.