Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle says a decision about Bruno Guimaraes' future had already been taken by the time he first met the club's departing captain.
The report indicates that newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle says a decision about Bruno Guimaraes’ future had already been taken by the time he first met the club’s departing captain.
It further notes that arsenal are set to complete their protracted £75m move for the midfielder after a breakthrough in discussions.
Jaissle briefly spoke to Guimaraes at the club’s training camp in Spain earlier this week, but the 28-year-old went on to bid an emotional farewell to his team-mates and club staff.
“I met him quickly, but the decision was already made,” Jaissle stated in his first meeting with reporters following his appointment as head coach.
“It was a nice conversation. He’s a fantastic player and a great human being. It’s tough but for him now it’s the next challenge and we need to deal with it at a later stage.
“We trust the players who are here already, but we will also see some changes.”
Guimaraes is set to become the fourth key player to leave Newcastle in less than a year.
Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali moved to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively earlier in the window while Alexander Isak joined Liverpool last summer.
Club legend Alan Shearer has sent Jaissle his “very best wishes”, but previously warned it could be a “tough season” with some “very challenging times ahead” in a column for BBC Sport.
Jaissle, though, sees the club’s rebuild as an opportunity to start a new cycle and mould a young, hungry side after succeeding predecessor Eddie Howe.
“This is a challenge and there are so many transitions at the moment,” he said. “Many big players left – legends of the club – but we need to see it as a chance.
“Not having too many excuses now, just thinking forward about what we can influence.
“Control the controllables, I used to say, and I’m sure there will be progress this season.”
Jaissle has been focused on coaching the players currently at his disposal on the training pitches, but Newcastle are working on further additions before the start of the season.
