Eddie Howe's 'strange' admission after Premier League rules ban Newcastle United man

The Newcastle assistant was serving a one-match touchline ban after picking up his third yellow card of the 2024-25 campaign in the 3-0 win over Ipswich Town.

Premier League rules state that a member of a club’s coaching staff booked three times over the course of the season must serve a one-match suspension.

Tindall had been doing most of the shouting from the dugout with United boss Eddie Howe still recovering from pneumonia. Howe admitted after the Ipswich game that he was “baffled” at Tindall’s booking.

Speaking last week, Howe said: “It baffles me why, to be honest, because I was right there and I saw and heard everything. But to a degree, I think it's aimed purely at trying to stop Jason managing. But I was the one back in the dugout so I don't see the issue.”

Eddie Howe reacts to being without Jason Tindall

Tindall travelled to the South Coast with the squad as normal and was able to access the dressing room. However, he wasn’t allowed near the pitch, meaning he watched the match alongside sporting director Paul Mitchell, CEO Darren Eales and assistant head of first team recruitment Andy Howe from the Amex Stadium directors’ box.

To cover for Tindall’s absence, assistant coach Graeme Jones joined the bench instead of taking up his usual analysis role in the stands.

Asked if it was strange being without Tindall on the touchline, Howe said: “Probably was. Looking back at the time, it didn't feel any different, because I'm so engrossed in the game. I'm not focusing on what Jason's doing, believe me.

“But I think when I'm stood here now, or sat here now, talking to you and I reflect back, I go,’ that was slightly different’. And yes, I'd much prefer it if he was by my side, helping me. That's how we've always been.”

Jason Tindall linked with Queens Park Rangers job

Tindall has this week been linked with Queens Park Rangers job after the Championship club placed manager Marti Cifuentes on gardening leave after it was revealed he had held talks with another Championship club.

Tindall has spent the majority of his coaching career as assistant to Howe at Bournemouth and now Newcastle, although he did have a brief 31-game stint in charge of the Cherries when Howe resigned as boss in August 2020.

When asked about the Tindall and QPR links on Friday, Howe said: "No, I know nothing of that, that's the first I've heard of it. I certainly hope not. JT's been brilliant for me, personally. And very highly valued, yeah, so I don't want him to go anywhere. So a unusual one, transfer news with a member of staff."

Meanwhile, Tindall recently played down the prospect of stepping into management.

“That's never been my intention, it's not what I wanted at that time it was just with the circumstances the manager needed a break and work out what his next chapter should be so the opportunity came my way and it was one I couldn't turn down.

“It's certainly not something I've got in mind, I'm happy in my role and it's something I want to continue to do."

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