Pep Guardiola provides brilliant response when told Eddie Howe gets to training at 6am | Football | Sport
Howe has guided Newcastle to the brink of Champions League qualification, needing just one point in their final two games to guarantee a top-four spot.
And a recently revealed potential secret to his success at St James’ Park could be his productive starts at Newcastle’s training ground.
Howe has explained his daily routine while transforming the Magpies’ fortunes, starting with arriving at Darsley Park at 6am.
He said: “I do a little workout to get my energy going. I use the facilities to get my energy in a good place. And then, I set about work and preparing the day.”
In an interview with Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s coronation against Chelsea, Guardiola was in disbelief when he heard of Howe’s early starts.
But the City boss admitted that Premier League management was a 24-hour job, regardless of when you fit some sleep in.
“I arrive late… later than six! 6am?! That is genius. No, at 6am, I’m in bed. I love a sleep, so I’m not there,” Guardiola laughed.
“But I think all managers, we arrive early on, that’s for sure, and prepare training sessions and stay as long as you need.
“But all managers are thinking for 24 hours in our jobs. We are not different, all of us.”
Guardiola and Howe are among the six Premier League Manager of the Season award nominees.
They join Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Brighton and Hove Albion’s Roberto De Zerbi, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Fulham’s Marco Silva in the running.
But the duo’s respective team scalps this season are guaranteed to outweigh any potential individual accomplishments.
Newcastle must simply avoid defeat against relegation-doomed Leicester City and lowly Chelsea to finish above Liverpool and book their ticket into Europe’s premier competition.
Guardiola’s side now ultimately have three warm-up games before they go for the treble against Manchester United and Inter Milan in June.
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