Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has defended assistant Jason Tindall after he became an internet sensation for his so-called ‘desperate’ antics to be the centre of attention.
Tindall, who has worked with Howe for more than a decade during spells at Bournemouth, Burnley and Newcastle, is a very active presence on the St James’ Park touchline.
The 45-year-old can often be seen speaking to the fourth official during games and his ‘attention-seeking’ tactics have, in more recent weeks, been put under the microscope.
In fact, a Twitter account dedicated to providing regular updates of Tindall being the ‘centre of attention’ has garnered over 36,000 followers and counting.
One post, for example, shows Tindall trying to shake Bournemouth manager Gary O’Neil’s hand before Howe at the final whistle, only for O’Neil to snub his advances.
Other posts include shaking Mikel Arteta’s hand first and being in the middle of the Newcastle changing room team photo on a number of occasions.
After the Twitter account went viral, Eddie Howe was recently asked about Tindall’s new fame during an interview with YouTube channel CBS Sports Golazo.
When asked if he ever had to “rein in” the assistant coach and remind him who’s boss, Howe said: “Errr, that’s an interesting (question). That’s something that we’ve not really ever talked about really.
“We’re both very active on the sidelines, so I’ve encouraged Jason to be that way. We were very much a partnership when we first started in management and we try to do everything we can to help the players.
“I think we’re situated together on the front there and at the end of the game he naturally makes his way over, because he’s usually to my left (closest to the opposing manager).
“So, no, he’s a great guy and he’s been brilliant for me this year.”
Tindall has been involved in a number of heated incidents on the touchline this season, including in the final minutes of Newcastle’s game against Wolves last month.
Some on the Wolves bench were unhappy with how long Newcastle were taking to get the ball back in play from a free-kick, which angered Tindall, who took aim at Julen Lopetegui’s staff for their own ‘time-wasting’ at 1-1.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has also commented on Tindall’s actions.
“We know that Newcastle have their strategy,” he said. “Jason Tindall is always speaking in the fourth official’s ear throughout the game so we just have to be aware of that.”
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