BRUNO: IT WAS ALL TOON FAST

BRUNO GUIMARAES surveyed the carcass of Newcastle’s season and admitted: “We made things happen too quickly.”

The Brazilian pied piper of Gallowgate (above) says the Toon have “struggled” to live up to last season’s high standards, which yielded a Wembley cup final appearance and delivered the return of Champions League football.

But Newcastle’s blow-out in Europe and dismal away record in the Premier League turned a season of rich potential into empty promises.

And although there would be burning effigies on Tyneside if Guimaraes was sold as a sacrifice to profit and sustainability rules, he admits there is uncertainty about his future amid talk of Paris Saint-germain activating his £100million release clause.

Guimaraes, expected to start for Brazil against England at Wembley tomorrow, said: “This season we have been struggling. We have had many problems with injuries and suspensions. I’ve never been at a club with these types of injuries.

“Some of them have been very strange.

“This is part of the process. When I signed I knew this could happen, but maybe we made things happen too quickly.”

The paradox of Newcastle being bankrolled by colossal Saudi wealth but possibly having to sell a star player to stay within PSR tramlines has left manager Eddie Howe halfway between opulence and austerity.

Guimaraes insists he is none the wiser about his future at St James’ Park. he said: “I don’t know exactly, I am not so involved in that part of the staff.

“We never know what is going to happen, but for my part I am happy at the club, disappointed about the season, yes, but we still have a chance to finish at least seventh to put us in Europe again.

“I cannot speak too much about the future but I am so grateful for Newcastle and happy to play here.”