Pep Guardiola shows his class with a touching message to Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales
Pep Guardiola showed his class with a touching message to Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales - just hours after he'd announced he was stepping down from the Toon boardroom for health reasons.
Eales is serving his notice at Newcastle after being diagnosed with chronic blood cancer. During his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Newcastle, Guardiola said: "Myself and everyone at the Club want to wish him [the Newcastle CEO, Darren Eales] the best recovery for him and his family. Hopefully, he can go through and be healthy, which is the most important thing."
Earlier in the day, Eales had said: "Being CEO of Newcastle United is an extraordinary privilege and I am incredibly proud to be part of the club's exciting journey.
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"However, it has become apparent to me that now is the right time to make this decision so that I can prioritise my health and my family. In the short term, it will be business as usual in terms of running the club's day-to-day operations, and I will give my full support to a transitionary period that will enable the board to carefully assess and appoint my successor.
And Guardiola is anticipating a difficult trip to St James' Park as his side look to stay top of the table and unbeaten this season. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss said: "Newcastle are always impressive.
"Since Eddie [Howe] has been there, they are one of the toughest, strongest opponents, home and away but especially away. We are going ready for the battle."