Bruno Guimarães missing from Newcastle flight to La Manga as Jaissle prepares to join squad
Bruno Guimarães was not among the Newcastle players who departed for Murcia on the club’s Friday lunchtime flight, with the team due to convene in southern Spain to meet their incoming head coach. Matthias Jaissle, who is completing a managerial move from Al-Ahli, is expected to join the group at the La Manga complex at some point over the weekend.
Newcastle’s pre-season party traveled to the La Manga complex as Eddie Howe’s former players prepared to be introduced to Jaissle in Spain. Guimarães is believed to be in Brazil as transfer interest from Arsenal continued to be reported. The midfielder may still fly to La Manga on Sunday, according to club scheduling, while Jaissle finishes formalities related to his move from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli.
The squad left for Murcia on Friday lunchtime, marking the start of their preparation period in the La Manga training centre. Several players who worked under Eddie Howe on Tyneside made the journey and will attend the initial sessions arranged in southern Spain. The club has planned the arrival of its new head coach during the spell at the La Manga complex.
Bruno Guimarães’s absence from the outbound flight left his immediate whereabouts unclear to those assembled at the base in Spain, with sources indicating he is in Brazil. Those following the situation noted that a transfer to Arsenal has appeared increasingly likely, and arrangements were still being monitored ahead of the weekend. Officials indicated the midfielder may still travel to La Manga on Sunday if circumstances allow.
Matthias Jaissle is in the final stages of completing his managerial move from Al-Ahli and is due to meet the Newcastle squad in Spain. The incoming head coach’s arrival at the La Manga complex is expected to occur at some point this weekend after his departure from Saudi Arabia. Club staff have scheduled sessions and meetings to coincide with Jaissle’s planned introduction to the playing group.
Newcastle’s pre-season programme will proceed at the La Manga complex with the bulk of the squad present, even as individual situations remain unresolved. The players who made the trip will take part in the initial training and preparatory work set out for the camp in southern Spain. Club representatives have maintained the timetable for Jaissle’s arrival while monitoring the status of those not yet on site.
The immediate picture for the club therefore shows the majority of the playing squad in Murcia and training at La Manga, with Matthias Jaissle expected to link up with them this weekend after finalising his move from Al-Ahli. Bruno Guimarães was not on the Friday lunchtime flight and is believed to be in Brazil, though he may still travel to La Manga on Sunday.