Eddie Howe was vindicated after Bruno Guimaraes came good on ’empowering’ Newcastle risk

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Eddie Howe made a big decision when promoting Bruno Guimaraes to the Newcastle United captaincy role last year. 

Guimaraes has been one of Newcastle United’s best players in the PIF era but the same is said about Kieran Trippier, who previously wore the armband. 

Still, Guimaraes replaced Trippier as Newcastle’s team captain in 2024 as Howe wanted to give the Brazilian more responsibility.  

That cannot have been easy on any of the parties involved. Trippier’s form had deserted him at that point (before last season’s revival) but his leadership qualities have never been called into question.

During a difficult summer last season, replacing the captain hardly spoke of a happy dressing room.

Still, the Newcastle United manager was rewarded for it. And then some.  

• Who is Bruno Guimaraes? Meet Newcastle’s brilliant Brazilian lighting up the Premier League

Bruno Guimaraes helped Newcastle United make history after becoming their captain

Guimaraes played a key role in Newcastle’s greatest season in living memory. Under his captaincy, the club ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic honour by winning the Carabao Cup. They also qualified for the Champions League, of course.

Last season, Guimaraes played in 47 of Newcastle’s 48 games. He also ranked within Newcastle’s top five players for Premier League goals (5), assists (6), tackles per game (2.2), interceptions per game (0.8) and key passes per game (1.4). 

He was a leader from the front and conducted a brilliantly emotional interview after the Carabao Cup final, in which he claimed he wanted to make himself a legend on Tyneside like Alan Shearer. 

Trippier, Guimaraes and club captain Jamaal Lascelles all held the trophy aloft at Wembley too, which was another touching moment. 

Of the decision to replace Trippier as captain, Howe said at the time: “Every decision you make you have to think about it. 

“I’m probably making hundreds of decisions a week. I think on the captaincy, it was about empowering Bruno, and everyone else’s role remains exactly the same.”

It’s fair to say Howe got that decision right.

Eddie Howe sends pointed Bruno Guimaraes remark amid Alexander Isak debate 

Guimaraes is committed to the cause at Newcastle. It would have been easy for him to kick up a fuss last summer when Manchester City were interested, but he remained professional.

Sadly, the same seemingly cannot be said for teammate Alexander Isak amid Liverpool’s ongoing interest in the striker.

Though Newcastle intend on keeping Isak, Howe has confirmed he only wants to focus on players who actively want to play for the club. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game with Aston Villa, the Toon boss said: “I always think of Bruno.

“Bruno was desperate to come. He couldn’t wait to wear the black and white shirt. The way he entered the football club with his early performances after waiting to get into the team was inspirational.

“He’s never stopped being that inspirational figure.”