Eddie Howe opens up on pneumonia battle as Newcastle boss returns to dugout

An emotional Eddie Howe admits he is ‘not 100 per cent’ as the Newcastle United manager returns to the dugout following a ‘difficult’ battle with pneumonia.

Howe was taken to hospital two weeks ago after feeling ill for a few days, with the club later revealing that the 47-year-old had been diagnosed with pneumonia.

The Magpies boss was later discharged but remained away from the touchline, with assistant manager Jason Tindall overseeing big wins over Manchester United and Crystal Palace before last weekend’s loss at Aston Villa.

Howe returned to the training ground earlier this week and will be back in the dugout on Saturday when Ipswich Town visit St. James’ Park.

Speaking for the first time since leaving hospital, Howe thanked NHS staff but was clearly shaken by the experience and admits he took his health for granted.

‘I’m okay, I am not 100 per cent in my body, but 100 per cent in my mind,’ the Englishman said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.

‘It’s been difficult, I tried to take a positive experience from it, it has been a real challenge, your health you take for granted, I certainly did. Been through a range of emotions, I feel like I am on the road to recovery and glad to be back here.

‘The care that I received from the NHS was first class. I came back in, and normal service resumed, minus running around, a lot more reserved physically.

‘The Leicester game I felt awful. I planned to come back to training ahead of Manchester United. I had a shower and was getting ready to go and something was telling me “no”. That was the moment things changed.

‘I was pleased to be told to go to hospital. That was the right place for me. It was a bit of a relief to get that care in that moment.

‘The care I received from the NHS was first-class. A big thank you to Charlotte Milne and all her staff who looked after me. The care and I love I felt from them. The well wishes I received from everyone – I really do appreciate it.’

‘I have to say it brings a sharper focus on what is important in your life. My family and friends looked after me in this period. It brings clarity. You can’t take things for granted.’

Asked if he had any involvement with his team’s tactics while he was recovering, he replied: ‘I had zero involvement, you are either all in or all out, and I didn’t feel well enough to focus on the football, so I gave Jason and all the coaches the full responsibility.

‘Jason, Graeme [Jones], Simon [Weatherstone], Stephen [Purches] and all the coaches have done a brilliant job. I was able to watch all the games, but I wasn’t fully there mentally, but I was really proud and so lifted by the performances. A big thank you to everybody and full credit to the players.’

Saturday’s game will have big consequences at both ends of the Premier League table, with Ipswich almost certain to be relegated as they need to win all five of their remaining games and pray that 17th-placed West Ham lose all theirs in order to avoid the drop.

Meanwhile Newcastle, who currently sit fifth, are in a closely fought battle to finish in the top five and qualify for next season’s Champions League.

‘Ipswich have dangerous players in their team, they recently went to Bournemouth and won, and we know how hard that game is,’ Howe added.

‘I think they have had a difficult season, their away form has been very strong, they have done better away than they have at home and that will be a frustration for them, but that is a warning sign, that this will be a tough game for us.’

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