Pound for pound, Kieran Trippier must go down as one of Newcastle United’s greatest ever signings.
He joined in January 2022 for a reported £12m + add-ons and was the first incoming transfer following the takeover of Newcastle United.
A player with extensive experience at top level, both in club and international football. He took a pay cut and a huge gamble, leaving La Liga champions Atletico Madrid for relegation fighters Newcastle United.
For what he did for us, you’d think he arrived with a cape. That first half of the season was cut short due to injury, but he still scored free-kicks in successive home games to help us beat Everton and Aston Villa. He then traveled with the squad to most (if not all) of the competitions for which he was unfit, grinning in the winning photos, with crutches on display.
I have no doubt that his guidance and leadership would have been invaluable even if he could not help the team on the field.
The following season he played every league match as Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League, the first time since the days of Shearer, Solano and Given. He also led us to our first cup final of the millennium that season.
In the following seasons he had a player with fantastic ability and potential to contend with in Tino Livramento. Despite Tino and Lewis Hall, on the other hand, becoming the favored options, Kieran Trippier has provided cover for both and still has a combined 53 Premier League appearances in the two previous campaigns.
Kieran Trippier played the entire 2025 Cup Final, assisting Burn for the memorable opener. He stood alongside new field captain Bruno and club captain Lascelles and lifted our first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Trippier has made more top-flight appearances for Newcastle than any other club he has represented. In recent seasons he has been regularly linked with moves.
For whatever reason, that departure did not materialize and he remains with us, a leader and inspiration in the dressing room and on the pitch.
You can probably tell that I’m a big fan of Trippier’s. I think he’s probably in my top five favorite players of the last 20 years. But even I have to admit that he is declining as a player. He was never fast, but looks more confident than ever against fast wingers. His death was messier than we are used to seeing.
He has only played fourteen league games so far this season and would undoubtedly have had far less game time without our extensive defensive absences.
His performance against Brentford last weekend was possibly one of his worst for us. He could have seen red early on for a pullback in the penalty area that was not given. He was completely out of position for the winner. Although no one in the back line got much credit for that move, Botman with the poor defensive header and Thiaw failed to see the danger of the gap left by Trippier. In Trippier’s defence, he came back from an advanced position as he was part of the attack when we had possession.
I was obviously delighted to see him put in such an encouraging performance against Tottenham. Rarely troubled defensively, always talking and regularly making progress in forward actions.
In his pomp, from the moment he signed, and then throughout the 22/23 and 23/24 seasons, I think he is perhaps the best right-back I have ever seen play in the black and white stripes (Newcastle fan since 1996 for reference). Over the last two seasons he has provided 17 assists in the league and has been instrumental in many big performances and victories.
Defensively he was brilliant, a lack of pace made up for by a sharp mind and reading the game. Offensively, he was always a threat down our right side, as evidenced by the assist stats.
After the Spurs match, Kieran Trippier and Bruno Howe pushed in front of the fans to receive their adoration. The look of satisfaction on Trippier’s face after the traveling support roared their approval was a sight to behold. Once again he showed excellent leadership in wanting the manager to receive the praise he deserved at the time.
I don’t know what’s next for Kieran Trippier.
I hate to admit that I think his time as a player for us is coming to an end. Like I said, I really appreciate him, but even I think it’s probably time for a young, versatile player to replace him. There just haven’t been that many good performances from him this season. Perhaps lack of playing time is part of that and he could end the season in top form and earn an extension. But now that he turns 36 in September, his performance will likely continue on a downward trajectory.
He could still have a job in the Premier League. It wouldn’t surprise me if a newly promoted club took a chance on Kyle Walker this season, à la Burnley. Maybe a change of scenery and a nice final payday somewhere in the MLS would appeal to him.
My dream scenario would be that he hangs up his boots at the end of the season and joins Eddie Howe’s coaching team.
The couple clearly has an ocean of respect and admiration for each other. We as fans also have those feelings towards him. The players appreciate him and look up to him (figuratively speaking). He seems like the kind of character destined to work in coaching or management and it would be great for him to at least start that journey with the team for which he has been such a modern icon.
Whatever happens, I hope he can end this season on a positive note and put in a few more performances like Tuesday’s. Wherever his next step takes him, this fan will adore him forever and I’m sure I won’t be the only one who feels this way.
You can follow the author on Twitter @billymerlin
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