Eddie Howe, the 47-year-old manager of Newcastle United, has been admitted to the hospital after feeling unwell for several days. Howe, who had been under the weather since last week, was taken to the hospital late on Friday night for tests. He will remain hospitalized at least until Sunday as medical professionals continue to assess his condition, which has yet to be publicly specified. Howe had already been struggling with health issues earlier in the week and had been bedridden for much of the latter part of the week.
Prior to his hospitalization, Howe had undergone extensive dental treatment on Thursday and mentioned during a press conference the following day that he might be difficult to understand due to the procedure. Despite his illness, Howe remained in touch with his team and continued working remotely, even phoning his assistant, Jason Tindall, several times a day to discuss the upcoming match against Manchester United.
Newcastle United released a statement on Saturday, providing an update on Howe’s condition. The club assured fans that the manager was conscious, able to speak with his family, and receiving expert care. The statement also conveyed well wishes for Howe’s speedy recovery, though it did not offer additional details on the nature of his illness. Howe’s absence means that Tindall, his long-time assistant, will take charge of the team for the match against Manchester United at St James’ Park. Tindall, who has served as Howe’s deputy since their time together at Bournemouth, previously stepped in for Howe during the early days of his Newcastle tenure when Howe tested positive for COVID-19. On that occasion, Tindall managed the team for a 3-3 draw against Brentford, with Howe watching the match from his hotel room.
This sudden turn of events leaves Newcastle needing to navigate the critical stretch of their season without their manager on the touchline. The club has been performing well this season and is pushing for Champions League qualification, sitting just one point behind fifth-placed Aston Villa in the Premier League standings. Despite their impressive run, Newcastle slipped to seventh place following Saturday’s results, with Chelsea and Villa both ahead in the race for the top five.
Newcastle’s immediate schedule is demanding, with the team hosting Manchester United on Sunday, followed by a home fixture against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, and a trip to Aston Villa the following Saturday. These games are crucial for Newcastle’s ambitions of securing a top-four finish and qualifying for the Champions League, which would represent a significant achievement for the club after a long period without European competition.
While Howe’s absence will undoubtedly be a challenge for the team, the club remains confident in Tindall’s ability to step in and manage the players through this period. Tindall, who has worked alongside Howe for many years, understands the team’s tactics and philosophy, and his experience with the club is invaluable during this uncertain time. Howe’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding Newcastle to success, including their historic Carabao Cup victory over Liverpool in February, which was the club’s first major domestic silverware since 1955.
The club’s supporters will be hoping for a swift recovery for Howe, as they look to maintain their push for Champions League football in the final stretch of the season. The coming weeks will be crucial for Newcastle, and with Tindall at the helm, the club is determined to continue their strong form despite the challenges they face.
