Newcastle release Eddie Howe health update with the manager recovering in hospital after pneumonia diagnosis

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been diagnosed with pneumonia and is recovering in hospital.

The 47-year-old was admitted to hospital on Friday night and missed his team’s 4-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday.

But in a club statement on Monday, Howe said that he was looking forward to returning as soon as possible. In the meantime, Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones will take charge of Wednesday’s visit of Crystal Palace and Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.

Howe said: ‘A huge thank you to everyone connected with Newcastle United and the wider football community for your messages and warm wishes. They have meant a lot to me and my family.

‘I also want to pay tribute to our incredible NHS and the hospital staff who have treated me. I’m immensely grateful for the specialist care I’m receiving and, after a period of recovery, I look forward to being back as soon as possible.’

Tindall, Howe’s long-serving No 2, stepped in and oversaw Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Manchester United, supported by fellow assistant coach Jones.

The 47-year-old missed Sunday’s win over Manchester United with Jason Tindall stepping in

Howe said he hoped to return as soon as possible but will be absent for two more games

Post-match, Tindall revealed he had received a message from Howe congratulating the team on the result, which moved them fourth in the table.

‘I’ve just seen a message from Eddie congratulating us on the performance and the victory,’ Tindall said. ‘He was able to watch and I’m sure it has lifted his spirits.’ 

Tindall added: ‘Eddie and I have been working together for 17 years and I don’t think he’s ever missed more than a day or two in that time.

‘I had a text message from Eddie before the game that he put his trust in myself to do what I thought was right. I sent him a couple of messages today to say that he was hugely missed. He’s one of the best managers there is.

‘It’s at times like this when the manager’s not there that the players have to step up and they did. Our mentality was fantastic.’

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, who scored the fourth goal at St James’ Park, dedicated the result to Howe, saying: ‘We won it for Eddie Howe.’

On Saturday, it was confirmed Howe had been taken to hospital with an unspecified illness. Newcastle said the head coach was ‘conscious and talking with his family’.

Howe underwent several tests after being hospitalised and was not able to take training sessions last week following the 3-0 win at Leicester City.

Tindall revealed Howe sent a message congratulating the team after the victory against United

Howe ended Newcastle’s 70-year domestic trophy drought after winning the Carabao Cup

‘The club continues to extend its best wishes and support to Eddie and his family as he continues his recovery,’ Newcastle’s statement on Monday added.

Howe, formerly the head coach at Bournemouth, led Newcastle to a first domestic trophy in 70 years after beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

A win or draw against Palace would see Newcastle leapfrog Nottingham Forest into third place, boosting their hopes of securing Champions League football again.