Jonas Gutierrez has admitted he never would have done to Newcastle United what Alexander Isak did this summer.
Newcastle United were forced into a corner by the 25-year-old, who downed tools despite having a contract until 2028.
Isak refused to play for Newcastle, spending pre-season away from his teammates before sitting out the opening three games of the season.
It culminated in Isak joining Liverpool on transfer deadline day for a British record fee of £125million. His actions got the desired result, tarnishing his legacy at St James’ Park in the process.
In the eyes of Jonas Gutierrez, Newcastle did the right thing in letting him go.
Jonas Gutierrez says Newcastle United are ‘bigger’ than Alexander Isak
During an appearance on NBC Sports, Gutierrez was asked if it was difficult to watch the Isak situation play out at Newcastle United over the summer.
“Eddie Howe is doing an amazing job for the club,” he said.
“When you have a player who does not want to be in the place, the best thing is to let him go. I’ve been in Newcastle. I wanted to be there. I enjoyed the city and the fans. But you can have some players who don’t want to. It’s the decision of a player.
“I’m not going to have the same reaction as he had, because it’s not good for the fans or the city. But it’s his decision and I give him the best of luck for the future. But Newcastle is bigger than any player.”
Alexander Isak scores first goal since leaving Newcastle United
As Gutierrez says, Newcastle were right to sell Isak in the end. The situation had become untenable, while the Magpies got a ginormous fee for a player who had cost £63million in 2022.
It does feel wrong that Isak’s terrible actions were rewarded, but that is the nature of the beast that is modern football. Isak has suggested fans do not know the full story yet, and it will be interesting to see if anything else comes out about his shocking Newcastle United departure.
In the meantime, the Sweden international is focused on getting his Liverpool career up and running. He did that on Tuesday night, scoring his first goal for the Reds in their 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
In the same game, Hugo Ekitike received a red card. Having scored what proved to be the winner, Ekitike was sent off for a second yellow after taking his shirt off in celebration.
The Frenchman was called ‘stupid’ by Arne Slot after the game, and his lack of discipline should open the door for Isak to start his first Premier League game for Liverpool against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
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