Former Newcastle United owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi
Former Newcastle United owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi
Bruno Guimaraes stuck to his word. Following a historic campaign, the Newcastle United captain thanked God and humbly walked the length of the St James' Park pitch on his knees.
The footage, which was captured by Sky Sports, did not go unnoticed by Mehrdad Ghodoussi.
"A man's character makes the difference," the former Newcastle owner wrote.
Newcastle know that better than most. In fact, as well as signing quality players, the Magpies have targeted strong personalities like Bruno.
It was Ghodoussi who sat on a video call alongside head of recruitment Steve Nickson when meetings first started with the Brazil international and his representatives in 2022. In a window where Newcastle were desperate to bring in figures who wanted to join the club for the right reasons, Bruno was prepared to leave Lyon for an immediate relegation battle because the midfielder believed in the vision Ghodoussi and Co had for the club.
Although Newcastle are now in a very different place, nothing has changed when it comes to the importance of character. In fact, it has been one of the secrets behind Newcastle's strong recruitment record in recent years.
As David Webb, Bournemouth's former head of recruitment, once made clear to ChronicleLive: "That's always going to be Eddie's MO."
Just as Howe personally analyses hours upon hours of video footage, alongside the club's recruitment team, the Magpies boss also takes it upon himself to speak to figures in the game who have worked with targets. Howe has even been known to use recruitment consultants over the years, including Anton Robinson, who previously told ChronicleLive that the Newcastle boss wants to know 'every single detail about the person', including his living situation, motivations and interests outside the game.
Character, more than anything, has shaped the make-up of this squad. Players do not need to be squeaky clean, but they need to buy into the work ethic and team-first mentality at a club where the words 'No one loses if the team wins' are splashed across one of the walls inside the training ground.
It is an obvious point but those sides who have been together have flourished - just look at PSG's Champions League win following years of previously catering to big-name individuals - and Newcastle certainly fit that description. Poor performances are inevitable over the course of a season, but this group have not splintered during difficult times and their ability to stick together proved crucial to the black-and-whites .
Following a bruising 4-2 defeat at Brentford, for instance, which left Newcastle in 12th place, the Magpies even bounced back and went on to win nine games in a row in all competitions. Subsequent heavy losses against Bournemouth, Manchester City and Aston Villa did not knock Newcastle off course in the months that followed.
You can see why Howe has called this squad 'an unbelievable group of men who are determined to bring success' and these players show that 'every day'. As much as Howe is desperate to strengthen this summer, the Newcastle boss will ensure any new arrivals do not disrupt the dressing room.
"With recruitment, of course, you've got to get the characters you bring into the group right," Howe once said.
"It's so important you get the ones that will fit not just the playing style, but off the pitch as well in terms of their mentality and their conduct.
"We put a lot of emphasis on that and, hopefully, when it comes down to that point, we will make the right decisions."