Eddie Howe details biggest ‘weakness’ of his career as Anthony Elanga hails Newcastle boss manager - ‘Not good enough’

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In a wide-ranging interview, Eddie Howe has exclusively told TNT Sports what areas of management he needs to work on, as well as discussing how he handles his players. The Newcastle United boss has seen his side return to form of late. As they prepare for a UEFA Champions League showdown with Qarabag - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - he says there's a "weakness" he must "be better at".

Howe reveals what he 'has to get better at' as Newcastle manager

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Eddie Howe admits he needs to listen to his body and learn how to switch off from football at times.

The 48-year-old has been speaking exclusively to TNT Sports ahead of Newcastle's UEFA Champions League clash with Qarabag, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The Magpies need to come through a two-legged knock-out play-off in order to reach the last 16 of the competition for the first time in their history.

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Some patchy form of late, including a five-match winless run, has increased the pressure on the manager.

Results have since improved, and Howe is still held in high regard on Tyneside after guiding Newcastle to Carabao Cup glory last year.

And in his quest for perfection, he has told TNT Sports how he believes he can improve.

"Probably, I'd say, my weakness," Howe said. "I'm probably not good enough at decreasing my stress levels. That's something I'm going to have to be better at in the future.

"The job is now such that you're in high demand all the time and of course you're being evaluated by everybody in every moment.

"I think you need to be really resilient. I think that's one big strength that you need.

"But also, you need to look after your body and you have to look after yourself. That's certainly a long-term one for me that I have to get better at.

"It is [so hard to switch off]. That's where you have to be smarter, I think, as you get older.

"I think as a young manager I was totally obsessed and I probably haven't adapted as I'm getting older.

"The body starts to let you know that it's not too happy with you at times. I've got to listen to that a bit more I think."

'A bit like being a father' - Howe on importance of man management

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Howe has previously admitted that the five-game winless run was one of his toughest periods at the helm.

Getting back to winning ways was therefore crucial, and Newcastle responded by beating Tottenham and Aston Villa.

The most recent of those games, a 3-1 success at Villa Park, secured their spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup, where they will face Manchester City.

But even when the going got tough, Howe retained the support of the St James' Park hierarchy.

Crucially, too, he has the backing of the players, and he has been explaining his approach to man management.

"I think you've got to try and think of two things," Howe said.

"You've got to try and think of the team and what the team needs in every moment and the team is always more important than any one individual in it.

"But at the same time, you've got to try and see the individual needs of each player and you've got to try and hit certain things that will get the best out of that individual player.

"Whether that's just showing you care, a conversation, showing them clips of their game, trying and make them a better player...there's so many different things.

Howe says Newcastle 'desperate' for more silverware ahead of play-off clash

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"And there's so many different things going on in each individual's life.

"I think having that emotional intelligence and awareness of that certainly helps you for the job."

Anthony Elanga has been one of the Newcastle players to praise how Howe deals with his players.

The manager added: "That's really nice. The football side, at this level, everyone can do it.

"Everyone's an expert in the game, in terms of the coaches you're competing with. But not everyone's got your individual brain.

"So showing the players you really care about them and that you want them to do well and if you take that seriously, it can have a big impact."

Newcastle's Carabao Cup success last year, when the Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 in the final, was the club's first major trophy for 70 years.

Their hopes of defending that title were recently ended by Manchester City. But progression in the FA Cup means domestic success could still be achieved this season.

And, of course, supporters are dreaming of European honours as well. Although there are more fancied teams in the tournament, Howe says his team are desperate to add more silverware to the trophy cabinet.

Howe credits players after 'strange' officiating in Villa win

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"Winning that competition was incredible for us," Howe smiled.

"All the experiences we went through to get there. We beat some amazing teams, we played Arsenal over two legs in the semi-final, we beat Liverpool in the final.

"It wasn't given to us. We had to earn it the hard way. So winning it was one thing, but who we beat to get there and to win the cup was an amazing achievement really.

"I think it made us want it again, desperately. So I think the experience has made us more motivated and determined to try and recapture that.

"When I speak about everything else, that's important, but ultimately you've got to try and win while doing all those things.

"So it's sort of at the end. You go through the journey and the winning part is hopefully the last part that finishes the job for you."

Standing in Newcastle's way in Europe, at least initially, are Qarabag. The Kazak side recently suffered a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool in the Champions League.

But they still finished in 22nd place in the league phase, registering wins over Benfica, Copenhagen and Frankfurt, as well as drawing 2-2 with Chelsea.

Howe therefore knows this clash will be no walkover for his side, with their 2,529 mile journey the longest ever made by an English club in Europe.

"We come from Aston Villa to flying out," he concluded. "The preparations start now.

"We train in a second, and then we've got all day to finish off our preparations and then play. So it's quite a quick turnaround.

"We've got used to that this season. I think we've got better at delivering what we need to deliver to the players. Then it's up to us to execute the plan.

"I think it will be a tough tie over two legs. I think they're a good team. We don't underestimate them in any way.

"The travel time, for me, is sort of irrelevant. We've come here in a good way. We feel good physically. But this will be a tough game."

Elanga: "Much more to come from me"

One player who is loving life under Howe on Tyneside is Anthony Elanga.

The 23-year-old made the switch to Newcastle last summer, joining from Nottingham Forest for a reported £55 million.

Things have not gone to plan so far, with 21 of his 35 appearances coming as a substitute.

The Swedish international did recently net his first goal for the club though, scoring in the 3-1 Carabao Cup semi-final second leg efeat to Manchester City.

And he has promised Magpies fans there is more to come in terms of his performances, while also praising his boss.

"His man management and his attention to detail is second to none," Elanga told TNT Sports.

"How much he's helped me so much as a player. I've only been here six months, but I feel like I've been here longer than that.

"There's so much more to come from me. I'm just happy to be in the position I am right now and getting the help from the staff and the players as well and building the connection that's needed."

Elanga has played his part in the recent return to form, starting in the recent 2-1 league win at Tottenham.

He says that win, as well as victory away to Aston Villa in the FA Cup, has given the club plenty of confidence.

Highlights: Newcastle come from behind to advance against Villa in frantic cup tie

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They are now in tenth place in the Premier League, nine points outside the top four. Elanga has praised his team-mates to how they have bounced back from adversity, and is now targeting a strong end to the campaign.

"Football ain't perfect," he added. "But it's how you respond. I think that's been the key in this group.

"We're so together and we're so united. We love playing for the manager.

"When you go through spells like that, it's how you respond. I think we respond really well. Coming off the back of two away wins has been amazing, against two tough teams.

"That's given us confidence and hopefully we can build on that confidence and show that on the pitch tomorrow."

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