Newcastle United’s head coach Eddie Howe rejoined the team on April 24, 2025, after a three-week absence due to severe pneumonia, a recovery hailed as a boost for the Magpies’ Premier League campaign, per BBC Sport.
The 47-year-old, hospitalized in Newcastle upon Tyne in late March, missed crucial matches, including a 3-2 win over Tottenham, with assistant Jason Tindall steering the squad to a sixth-place standing with 56 points, per Sky Sports. Howe’s return, announced via a club statement, precedes a pivotal clash against Manchester City.
Howe, who led Newcastle to the 2023 Carabao Cup final, contracted the illness after a training ground cold, requiring oxygen support, per The Guardian. “It was a tough fight, but I’m grateful to the medical team and my staff,” Howe told Sky Sports, crediting Newcastle’s 2024 investment in player health protocols. His absence saw Newcastle maintain a 52% win rate, but fans, contributing to St. James’ Park’s 98% attendance, yearned for his tactical acumen, per Premier League stats.
The club, backed by Saudi PIF’s $400 million investment, eyes a Champions League spot, with Howe’s 4-2-3-1 formation yielding 2.1 goals per game.