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Eddie Howe Expresses Gratitude After Recovering from Pneumonia
Newcastle United’s manager Eddie Howe has publicly thanked the club’s doctor, Paul Catterson, for his swift response during a recent health crisis that led to his hospitalization for pneumonia. At 47 years old, Howe experienced a decline in his health over several days before being admitted to the hospital on April 11, missing a total of three matches for the Magpies.
After his recovery, Howe made his return to work on Thursday. “Without that quick intervention, it possibly could’ve had a different outcome,” he remarked in a press conference, reflecting on the seriousness of his condition.
Describing his physical state before seeking medical help, Howe admitted, “I felt really bad, but I didn’t know how bad.” He shared a common perspective among many men regarding health: “You sort of go through everything; you don’t necessarily offer yourself to doctors, but you think: ‘Oh, I’ll be okay in a couple of days, I’ll fight through it.'”
Although Howe acknowledged he was not yet fully recovered, he felt confident mentally. “I’m not 100% in my body, but I like to think I’m close to 100% in my mind, which is the most important thing,” he stated. Expressing optimism about his recovery journey, he mentioned, “I’ve been through a range of emotions but I feel like I’m on the road to recovery.”
As an immediate challenge, Newcastle sits in fifth place in the Premier League and is set to face Ipswich Town at St James’ Park on Saturday. Reflecting on the tough period of illness, Howe expressed his desire to find positivity in adversity. “Your health you take for granted – I certainly have – and when you don’t have the luxury of feeling normal, it can be very difficult,” he added.
During Howe’s absence, assistant manager Jason Tindall and fellow coach Graeme Jones managed the team, achieving two victories and one loss in league play. Providing insight into his decision-making, Howe shared that he chose to step back entirely from the games, stating, “I made a conscious decision, when I didn’t feel well enough to focus on the football, to give Jason and all the coaches full responsibility.”
He emphasized the importance of his commitment, saying, “For me, you’re either all in or all out – and I couldn’t contribute. So, I said to Jason right at the start, ‘it’s over to you.’ And didn’t he do well?”
Howe kept an eye on the team’s performances, acknowledging that while he wasn’t fully present mentally during the matches, he was proud of the team’s efforts, particularly in the victories over Manchester United and Crystal Palace, as well as the defeat to Aston Villa. “First two, I wasn’t really there mentally, but I was really proud and so lifted by the performances,” he concluded.
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www.bbc.com