Eddie Howe shared that the emotional ups and downs he's experienced in recent weeks have made him appreciate what he has more.
The 47-year-old manager became a Tyneside icon when he led the Magpies to their first home trophy in 70 years last month and he and the team were feted in a triumphant parade on their return to the north-east.
However, just weeks later he found himself in hospital battling pneumonia which kept him out of work until Thursday, when he was back in action to prepare for Saturday's Premier League clash with Ipswich at St James' Park.
After the 3-0 win that took the club back into the top three, Howe said: “It's been a very emotional few weeks for me, I have to admit. I've had my ups and downs.
“You start to look at things from a different perspective and appreciate everything more, so I appreciate the opportunity to be here today, I appreciate everything about Newcastle and I appreciate the support I have received and it has made me very emotional in a way.
“But I think when it's time to act, when it's time to play, you show up and we have to do our job and try to win.”
Howe has not yet fully recovered from his illness, but he is determined to return as soon as he feels he can pick up where he left off.
He said: “I feel like it's my responsibility. I have to be able to perform, so I was only going to come back if I could give the players what they need and they could see the real me and not a pale copy, so this week I felt strong enough to come back.”
“So I feel like it’s my responsibility, so I have to be here as soon as possible while I’m able to do what I need to do.”
He and his side did just that on Saturday, overcoming a difficult first half to take the lead through Alexander Isak's late penalty (made possible by Ben Johnson's 37th-minute substitution for a second offence that was booked), before headers from Dan Byrne and substitute Will Osula finished the job.
Newcastle are in hot contention for the three remaining Champions League places, trailing the two leaders Liverpool and Arsenal with four games remaining, but with Brighton, Chelsea, the Gunners and Everton ahead, the gap is slim.
Howe said: “We can't afford to make any mistakes now, so let's focus on the next match.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
