New Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle says Bruno Guimaraes' impending departure had already been settled before he even took charge, according to the BBC.
Jaissle revealed that by the time he first sat down with the Brazilian midfielder, the decision on his future had effectively been made above his head, leaving the incoming manager with little say in the matter despite Guimaraes' status as club captain.
The report doesn't detail the exact terms or destination of a potential move, but the framing suggests Newcastle's hierarchy had already green-lit an exit before Jaissle's arrival was finalised - a notable admission given Guimaraes' importance to the squad in recent seasons.
While specifics remain unclear from the BBC's report, Jaissle's comments point to a summer of significant upheaval at St James' Park, with the new manager inheriting a dressing room already adjusting to the loss of one of its senior figures.