Bruno Guimaraes shares the real reason Eddie Howe chose him as Newcastle United captain
Bruno Guimaraes has acted exceptionally as Newcastle United’s captain this season.
The 27-year-old has come leaps and bounds since he joined Newcastle United from Lyon in 2022.
Fans could not believe the player they had signed when Bruno Guimaraes arrived – a Brazilian maestro who made everything look effortless.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe bestowed a huge task on Guimaraes at the start of the season when he was named club captain.
It is an opportunity he has grabbed with both hands and run with so far, Guimaraes has looked like a natural-born leader this campaign.
His influence off the pitch is just as strong as it is on it – Guimaraes sent a message to Lewis Miley on social media after he scored in Newcastle’s FA Cup win against Bromley in January.
Guimaraes cheered on Miguel Almiron during his goodbye to Newcastle fans before the Paraguayan made his move away to Atlanta.
With the season in full swing and Guimaraes’ presence felt all around the club, the Brazilian has opened up on how the decision was made.
READ MORE: Who is Bruno Guimaraes? Meet Newcastle’s brilliant Brazilian lighting up the Premier League
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United celebrates Alexander Isak’s second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Wolverhamp…
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Bruno Guimaraes on being named Newcastle United captain
Undoubtedly, Howe improved Newcastle’s culture. Guimaraes is reaping the benefits of such a positive environment which can be seen in his performances.
Guimaraes leads Europe’s top five leagues for successful through balls this season and is nearing a career-high for assists in a single campaign.
Brazilian duo Guimaraes and Joelinton appeared on the Adopted Geordies podcast. They were asked about Howe, and Guimaraes was asked about how he became club captain.
“I’ll be honest with you, (Howe’s) the best manager I have ever worked with,” he said.
“We had a good conversation; I told him I wanted to have more responsibility with the team. Some days after he came to me and said ‘I’m thinking about making you the captain, what do you think?’
“I was open to the idea. Two days before Southampton at home he came to me and said ‘Bruno, I’m going to make you captain for the season. I’m choosing you because since you came, you have given everything for the club.’
“I was very pleased with his choice, it was a good conversation I had with him. A very good relationship with me. He’s my manager but also a friend of mine.”
Guimaraes could make history at Newcastle
Guimaraes has been fantastic all season, but he could still write his name into the history books if things go Newcastle’s way for the rest of the campaign.
Newcastle have not won a major trophy since 1969, it has been even longer since they won a domestic honour.
Guimaraes could be the first Newcastle captain to lift a domestic trophy for 70 years if they win the Carabao Cup.
Newcastle take on Arsenal on Wednesday night in the second leg of the semi-finals – the Magpies have the advantage going into the game and will face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the final should they get a good result.
Newcastle are also still in the FA Cup and take on Birmingham in the fourth round on Saturday. Although slim, there is still a chance Guimaraes could lift that trophy for the club’s first time since 1955.
Those players who were involved in the 2023 Carabao Cup final defeat will surely have that memory in their heads ahead of the game and will be looking to one-up their last attempt.
