Inside Eddie Howe's Newcastle United press conference as he breaks silence on pneumonia scare

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has spoken to the media for the first time since his health scare.

Howe was admitted to hospital a couple of days before the 4-1 win over Manchester United and was diagnosed with pneumonia. He missed further matches against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, with assistant coach Jason Tindall stepping in to lead the team.

But the 47-year-old will be back in the dugout for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Ipswich Town at St James’ Park on Saturday after returning to work earlier this week.

Howe held his pre-match press conference on Friday morning and here is everything he said about what has happened in the last fortnight.

Eddie, how are you?

“I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm not 100%. I'm not 100% in my body, but I'd like to think I'm very close to 100% in my mind, which is the most important thing. So, yeah, I'm well enough to face you guys today.”

What have the last couple of weeks been like for you?

“Yeah, difficult. I try to take a positive from every experience, I think that's really important you try to do that but this has been a real challenge because your health you take for granted. I certainly have. And then when you don't have the luxury of feeling normal, it can be very difficult. So, yeah, certainly been through a range of emotions. But thankfully, I feel like I'm on the road to recovery, which is the most important thing. And yeah, I'm delighted to be here. “

I remember last week when the club announced that you were receiving treatment for pneumonia, you thanked supporters for all their nice messages, but also the NHS staff for the care you've been receiving. And I'm sure that's something you'll want to do again.

“Yeah, without a doubt. I think the care that I received from the NHS was absolutely first class. A big thank you to Charlotte Milne and all her staff who looked after me. I can't thank them enough, they were absolutely brilliant. Just the care and the love that I felt from them. And of course, yes, the well wishes and the text messages I received from everybody. I've tried to get around to reply to everybody. It does take a while, but certainly there'll be a lot of supporters and everyone connected with Newcastle that have reached out. And I really do appreciate it. And I'm very thankful.”

How much involvement with the football and helping your coaches and the players have you been able to have prior to coming back earlier this week?

“Zero. So I made a conscious decision when I felt I didn't feel well enough to focus on the football to give Jason and all the coaches the full responsibility. Because 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? I thought he was absolutely brilliant with Graham and Simon and Stephen and all the coaches and the players. I thought they're absolutely magnificent. I was able to watch all of the games at the first two. I wasn't really there mentally, but I was really proud. And so lifted by the performance or performances. So, yeah, that's, of course, a very similar experience to the one I had against Brentford in my very first game. Not one that I particularly enjoy. But yeah, a big thank you to everybody for what they did.”

And how has it worked this week with you coming back? Have you been 100% all in again, leading everything? And will that be the case against Ipswich on Saturday?

“Yeah, I came back in and it was normal. So normal service regime, probably minus running around like an idiot. A lot more reserved physically. And I think I'm going to be that way for a while. But certainly, yeah, back to normal service. I do have to apologise also to anyone that saw me around the Leicester game, because I wasn't myself. So if I did see anybody, I was very withdrawn. So, yeah, I'd like to think I'm in a much better place now.”

You mentioned there that you went through a real range of emotions. Are you able to expand on that at all?

“Well, I think, as I said, sort of try to touch on you take your health for granted when you're feeling good, and I've been feeling good for a long, long time in my life. So I've had very minimal health issues. So when you suddenly are faced with that and you're not feeling well for a sustained period of time, I think it's difficult to deal with that, especially when you're in a job that demands you're there and you're present physically and mentally every day. So I thought all managers know the pressures and what that does to you as a person. And I consider myself really resilient and able to go through most things, but this was something I couldn't carry on through. So that dents you, really, and you feel like you're letting people down. So I have to accept that and you have to sort of go to a period then we have to really focus on trying the small steps to get better, to get back to full health. And that's what I'm trying to do now.”

When you got admitted into hospital two weeks ago, did you get a bit of a fright? Was it quite a scary time?

“Well, it was the respect that I felt really bad, but I didn't know how bad. I'm one of those people, probably like most men, that you sort of go through everything. You don't necessarily then offer yourself to doctors and people because you think, I'll be OK in a couple of days. I'll fight through it. And I'm sort of very much in the mindset that I'll go through anything until you can't. So I was very thankful that the doctor here, Paul Catterson, acted quickly, because without that quick intervention then possibly it could have had a different outcome. And then I was treated really well in hospital and thankfully now through the worst of it.”

And I guess knowing you, you probably worried about your family as much as anything else. You probably didn't worry about yourself in that situation.

“Yeah, well, I have to say, I think that brings a sharper focus to what's important in your life and then you sort of narrow down all my family and friends that looked after me in this period. Again, it just brings clarity to everything. The people that really care about you and will be there for you in any moment. And for all of us, I think, in life, you can't take those people for granted and you have to show your thanks and express great gratitude to the people that did look after me. Yeah, I'm very grateful to them.”

And you mentioned a moment ago watching the first two matches against Man United and Crystal Palace. Was it a strange experience watching on and knowing that you couldn't do anything to impact those games?

“Yeah, it was. It was a detachment. When you're watching the games, you're feeling removed from it because you're not in it. Probably see things clearer, I think, when you are removed. But those first two games, I wasn't really... I was watching and I was involved, but I wasn't feeling well enough to probably enjoy the performances. But a big thank you to the players because they gave everything in those two games to get two massive wins for us. And as I say, the staff behaved and acted absolutely brilliant, so a real tribute to them. And now I'm back, I hope I can add something to the group as we go into the last five games.”

And as much as Jason will be happy to see you back and to help out, etc., you'll be pleased he's not doing any more of these?

“No, I think he loved it. I think he loved it. I was almost contemplating letting him do it again. But no, I think he did absolutely brilliantly and I'm very lucky to have him.”

How difficult was it being out of that routine, given everything that was taking place for you, not just from a physical perspective, but from a mental perspective as well?

“Yeah, I think routine's key, I think, in your life. I think if you have good routines and they work for you and they help you, then there's nothing better. Those habits form, for me, a form of a successful time in my life. So I think whenever then you're knocked out of that into a different experience, it can be difficult. But I think to learn from it, and I think when I come back to work, it's learning from everything and it's appreciating now being able to come into work and being well enough to execute what I need to do. Certainly not going to take that for granted again. And just trying to live a healthy lifestyle anyway, but trying to live as healthy a lifestyle as I can.”

After an experience like that, where you do have a health scare like that, do you feel like you're in a different space mentally now to where you were three or four weeks ago? Not with regards to football, but with regards to life in general?

“Yeah, I think you see it through different eyes in that moment. And I think the important thing is not to forget how you saw things in that moment, because I think it just brings everything, the basics back into focus of what life is all about. And I'm in a very privileged position. I'm in a fantastic job that I absolutely love, with people I love working with. And it's trying to make the most of that time in my life, and that's what I plan to do. “

I know any time I jump on social media, I saw fans around the city, their first comments weren't, when's Eddie going to be back to work? They were, ‘how's Eddie feeling?’ How touching was that, the fact that the fans don't look at you necessarily as a manager, but look at you as a representative of this city and someone that they actually care about in terms of health?

“Yeah, I think it was really, really nice and uplifting for me to be part of that expression from the supporters towards me. It means everything, because none of us know how long we're going to be on the planet for and how long we're going to be able to enjoy what we're doing. But to do it in an environment where you feel supported and you feel valued certainly makes a massive difference.”

Your return to the touchline naturally will give the stadium a bit of lift. How big a boost do you think that is going to be, not necessarily to the players, but to the general atmosphere at St James' Park tomorrow, ahead of the game against Ipswich?

“I don't think it can have that much of an effect because I think the atmosphere, I wasn't there, but from what I felt from watching it in the last two games, was incredible. So I'm just delighted to be back. I'm very thankful to the supporters. Hopefully we can create a great environment and enjoy a good performance.”

You touched on something I think incredibly important there about how often men might push things under the carpet, perhaps leave it a couple of days. Has this changed how you will treat any health problems you have going forward, and I guess the message you would give to friends, family and just men generally?

“I'd like to think so. I can't guarantee it. But I'd like to think I would act differently if feeling that way again. I'd act quicker and try and seek help and support earlier. And I do think it's important because I think there's a real temptation to go, you can fight through anything. But there are certain things you can't, and seeking medical advice as early as possible certainly gives you the best chance of a quicker recovery.”

Did you start watching a lot of football or did you switch off and just have that time away?

“When I felt well enough, the laptop was out. And I think it was more a case of my mind and my body knew when that was. And the laptop came out and I was watching whip switch straight away because it's just inbuilt in me. So that was a great sign actually, because it was like, oh, I'm feeling better. I must be feeling better. I'm back into it. So that was a great moment for me.”

You've got a reputation as a workaholic, as someone who invariably arrives at work at 6am. Will your work schedule change as you hope to get... Obviously, there's going to be a gradual increase in your workload, but will you get back to those days?

“Yeah, I think I will, but only because I think it's what I feel works best for me. Early starts, some kind of physical activity, and I'm not there at the moment, but I hope I will be. And, yeah, I don't envisage too much changing, but what I do envisage hopefully changing from my perspective is just a little bit more care towards myself, a little bit more thought to what I'm doing. As I say, I live a really healthy lifestyle, so there's no issues there, I don't think.

What day did you return back? Can you just describe what it was like when the players saw you for the first time following you in on this? Was it emotional or was it very low-key?

“I was back on Wednesday, and it was low-key. I don't think players are necessarily too emotional to see me back. Some maybe were, but I feel I've got a really good relationship with the squad, so it was very nice to see their care, and their care for me and my care for them, goes hand in hand because I really care deeply about all my players and I want them to be successful in their careers, and I still try and will continue to work hard for them. All I ever ask from them is I hope that they recognise that and they give me their best in return. “

Can we just take you back to that week? You started feeling unwell around the Leicester game. You were planning, I presume, to come back for the Manchester United game. When did things start to deteriorate? When did you realise how seriously ill you were?

“Yes, so the Leicester game I took and I felt awful. I planned to come back into training in preparation for the Manchester United game and I got out of bed and had a shower and then I was going through the process of, right, I've got to go. Something was telling me, no, you need to get back to bed.”

When you were in hospital, when you were told to go to hospital, what were your emotions like then? You knew you were unwell, but did you realise how seriously unwell you were? Were you worried? Were you scared?

“I think I was actually pleased to be told to go to hospital because I probably subconsciously felt that that was probably the right place for me. Although I hadn't quite worked it out myself, I felt that bad that it was probably a bit of a relief to actually then go and get the care that I probably needed in that moment. Yeah, so I think it was strange really going to hospital. It's not obviously where you want to be, but in that moment it was probably where I needed to be.”

What would happen if you hadn't have gone to hospital? That's the sobering reality of all of these things. If you hadn't have gone to hospital, what would have happened to you?

“Yeah, well, I've got no idea. I can't really answer that. All I say is I think that's where if you're feeling that bad for a period of time, that's where my message to everybody is don't suffer in silence. Go and get help and seek people that can help you, and I think that's really, really an important message.”

Just take us back to that Friday night in the moment. You realised you've got to go to hospital. How did you get there? Who persuaded you to go, and how were you feeling at the time, physically, mentally?

“Yeah, I got a lift there and just walked in normally. I say walked in normally. I probably crawled in normally. But as I said, I was delighted to be there because I was like, right, now I'm going to – this is where I need to be to get better. Just instinctively sort of knew. And that's where then when the staff sort of greet you and take you, you feel a sense of relief. Then it's a case of obviously trying to work out what's wrong and what you need to do to get better. I think when you get the diagnosis, as frightening as the word is, of pneumonia, I think it's a bit of relief because you actually know what it is and then you can hopefully get the right treatment and return to normal.

What was wrong? What were your symptoms? What did they say was wrong with you? And was the treatment you just talked through what happened in hospital?

“Yeah, well, the symptoms were strange because there wasn't really any – I wouldn't say there were any massive standout symptoms, and that was probably what made it difficult for me to push for help initially. I just wanted to sleep. I did have a fever and quite a high temperature. But you just think it's something that you'll sleep off. And it didn't really change that. It was just a real feeling of feeling way off what I normally would be when I'm fit and healthy. And then, of course, later on, with pneumonia, other things come along, and, of course, it's affected my chest and my ability to breathe normally, but not to any alarming state.”

You mentioned earlier the intervention of Dr. Paul Cattison. Without him, it could have been different. Can you expand on that? What did Paul say and how important was it for someone of that medical professional status to say that to you at that time?

“Yeah, well, I'm very lucky. Obviously, in the sport that I'm in and the job that I'm in, you've got very, very good people that you can reach out to. He came to see me, and it was actually Paul taking some blood tests that highlighted sort of what the problem was and how serious the problem was. So without his care and without him wanting to come and visit me, because it wasn't me going to him, it was him coming to me, that's where I consider myself very fortunate to have that, and that's where I think if I'm talking to the general public here who don't have that support, they might need to be the ones to initiate that.”