Newcastle United’s 4-1 victory over Manchester United was a sweet one, but it wasn’t without its concerns.
Head coach Eddie Howe was absent from the sidelines after being admitted to the hospital on Friday night due to an illness that had left him unwell earlier in the week.
Despite his absence, Howe managed to watch the match from his hospital bed and sent a congratulatory message to the team after the win.
Assistant Coach Jason Tindall Takes the Helm in Howe’s Absence
In Eddie Howe’s absence, his assistant coach Jason Tindall stepped up to lead the team.
Tindall confirmed that although Howe had been unwell and taken to the hospital, he had been in contact with him briefly after the match.
Howe’s message was one of support and praise for the team’s performance, but Tindall shared that there had been no further updates on Howe’s health since his hospital admission.
“We were all hoping for a quick recovery,” Tindall said, adding that Howe had entrusted him and the rest of the coaching staff to handle the preparations and deliver a strong performance.
Tindall went on to express how much Howe was missed, especially since this was only the second time in 17 years that he and Howe hadn’t worked side by side.
“You miss your leader when he’s not there, but the credit goes to the whole team for stepping up in his absence,” Tindall noted.
Howe’s Recovery and the Team’s Dedication
Newcastle United released a statement over the weekend assuring fans that Howe was “conscious and talking” in the hospital, but no further details were given about his condition.
Captain Bruno Guimaraes, who was instrumental in the team’s victory, dedicated the win to Howe, saying, “When we went to the pitch, we said we want to play for him.
He has been unbelievable for us. Hopefully, this win will give him a little bit of happiness.”
Harvey Barnes, who scored twice in the commanding win at St James’ Park, also shared his hopes for Howe’s swift recovery.
“We knew we had a job to do without him and we did that,” Barnes said, showing gratitude for the support and trust from their absent manager.
Looking Ahead to Crystal Palace
With Howe’s health still uncertain, Tindall believes the head coach will likely be back in time for Wednesday’s upcoming match against Crystal Palace.
In the meantime, the team will continue to rally around each other and honor their leader’s guidance, hoping that his recovery is swift and he can return to the dugout soon.
