What’s wrong with Eddie Howe? Newcastle boss hospitalized and will miss Man United game
Newcastle United will face Manchester United this Sunday without their influential manager Eddie Howe on the touchline after the 47-year-old was admitted to hospital on Friday evening.
The club confirmed their head coach had been feeling unwell for several days before medical professionals determined he required hospitalization for further evaluation and treatment.
In an official statement released Saturday, Newcastle United assured supporters that Howe remains “conscious and communicating with family members” while receiving expert care.
The club’s medical staff opted to keep him under observation overnight as a precautionary measure, with additional tests being conducted to determine the nature of his illness.
Assistant managers Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones will assume matchday responsibilities for Sunday’s 4:30 PM kickoff at St James’ Park.
Tindall, who has worked alongside Howe since their Bournemouth days, addressed the media on Friday before his colleague’s hospitalization, revealing the manager had been “really poorly” in recent days but maintained regular contact with the coaching staff.
“We’ve been speaking three or four times daily to ensure preparations remain unaffected,” Tindall stated, initially expressing confidence about Howe’s potential availability for the weekend fixture.
This marks only the second time Howe has been absent from the dugout since taking charge of Newcastle in November 2021, having previously missed a Premier League match against Brentford that year due to COVID-19 protocols.
His sudden illness comes at a pivotal moment for the Carabao Cup holders, who currently sit seventh in the table and continue pushing for European qualification.
The entire Newcastle United organization has united in sending their best wishes for Howe’s swift recovery, emphasizing their gratitude for the transformative work he’s done since arriving at St James’ Park.
Supporters worldwide have flooded social media with messages of support for the manager who ended the club’s 54-year trophy drought last season.
Further updates on Howe’s condition are expected in the coming days as medical staff complete their evaluations.
In the interim, Tindall and Jones will draw upon their extensive experience working with Howe to ensure continuity in tactics and team selection against a Manchester United side battling for their own European ambitions.
Newcastle’s players will undoubtedly be motivated to deliver a performance worthy of their absent manager, whose health situation serves as a sobering reminder of the immense physical and mental demands placed on modern football coaches.
The club has requested privacy for Howe and his family during this time while assuring fans that all resources are being devoted to his care and recovery.