Jason Tindall has spoken out about being known as the Premier League`s “most irritating man.”
Tindall, 47, stood with Eddie Howe when Newcastle achieved their first major trophy in 70 years, winning the Carabao Cup against Liverpool.
Howe`s assistant has been a loyal partner to the former Bournemouth manager for 17 years, a dedication that is often considered rare in modern football.
They began managing together when Bournemouth faced possible relegation from League Two, “because nobody else was willing to take on the job.”
Initially, they were just teammates at Bournemouth, not particularly close friends during their playing days with the Cherries.
However, Tindall mentions they have worked together daily, sharing an office from 8 am to 6 pm. In his words, he has “spent more time with Eddie than anyone else in my life,” even more than with their wives.
Despite this long partnership, Tindall is known for getting under the skin of opposing fans more than most assistant managers.
He has an openly bold and confrontational attitude on the sidelines, earning him the nickname “Mad Dog.”
This often leads to him being noticed whenever something happens near the pitch, whether he was initially involved or not.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Tindall admitted that he enjoys his role as one of football`s biggest “wind-up merchants.”
He commented, “I`m not sure exactly where the `Mad Dog` thing came from or why. It`s probably because of how I am on the sidelines.”
“I`m very passionate and determined to win, which is probably a positive thing. Eddie is less emotional on the sideline, so I think it`s important that I bring that intensity.”
“If I wasn`t like this, Eddie might have to be, and he has so many other important things to focus on during a match. I take care of that side of things.”
“When Eddie was younger, he used to get more involved in sideline arguments, but it`s naturally become my role. I`m the one who does it now.”
“I rarely think I`ve gone too far. I will express my frustration if I`m unhappy with something. I don`t believe I`m disrespectful.”
“Of course, the opposition also wants to win, and sometimes they say things I disagree with. I`ll make that clear. If my role is to be the one who argues, that`s what I`ll do.”
Tindall is responsible for Newcastle`s defensive strategy, training, and set-piece planning this season.
Only a few teams have conceded fewer goals than Newcastle in the league this season.
When asked about his public image outside of Newcastle, where he`s not always popular, Tindall is happy to “upset” people, stating: “I don`t give a s*** what people think.”
He explained, “It`s not my goal to attract attention. People say I have too high a profile for an assistant manager, but I don’t pay attention to it.”
“The outside world can say what they want, but this is just who I am. I just focus on my job.”
“This isn`t new. Eddie will say the same; I`ve always been this way, even back at Bournemouth.”
“It`s part of my personality. I don’t care what people think, including opposing managers.”
“I know who I am, what my job is, and the impact I have. The only thing I care about is doing my job to the best of my ability for Newcastle United.”
“I don’t mind upsetting people along the way. People will probably judge my appearance, my clothes, and my behavior. But none of this is new to me.”
“The truth is, I don’t care what people think or say because I`m confident in myself and in my work.”
“If you don’t know me, your opinion is irrelevant.”
Regarding his relationship with Howe, Tindall added, “We have different personalities. He’s an introvert, and I’m an extrovert, which is clear. But we have a great working relationship. We are completely honest with each other.”
“We have different opinions and disagreements, but I always respect that he has the final decision.”
“Whatever disagreements we have, they stay private. When we leave the office, we are united. I will always support his decisions. That’s crucial.”
“That’s the loyalty I have for him, and it`s been there for years. He trusts me, and we trust each other completely. I’m incredibly loyal to Eddie. He gets the best out of me, and I hope I do the same for him.”
“We see football the same way and want to play the same way. We instinctively know what the other is thinking and wants. Our principles are aligned.”
“We recognize Eddie is a top manager, but he faces a lot of pressure from the media, expectations, and football decisions. I’m here to support him.”
“You need trustworthy people around you, people you can rely on, and we have that. If he`s having a tough day, it`s my job to lift him up when needed.”
Tindall admits that he and Howe are not “friends” in the traditional sense, but they need each other for professional success.
He describes their relationship as a “good marriage,” supportive but not extending to socializing outside of work.
Tindall briefly took over as manager in 2020 after Howe left Bournemouth, but he prefers being Howe`s assistant, a role he resumed when they joined Newcastle three years ago.
Tindall believes Newcastle is “the perfect football club for us,” as they aim to bring back the spirit of Kevin Keegan`s “entertainers” from the 1990s.
On winning the cup and looking to the future, Tindall added, “Winning the Carabao Cup was more about giving the city what it has always wanted than personal achievement.”
“This city has a unique effect. It brings out something in me, tapping into my passionate side because Eddie and I share that passion. Football here is almost life and death, which is how we see the game too.”
He continued, “Once you win, you want more. Great teams keep striving for more, which sets them apart from good teams.”
“We want to build a great team here. Winning at Wembley was a very emotional moment for both of us.”
“Starting from the bottom with Bournemouth, going through the leagues together, and finally winning a trophy—we both understood how special it was and how much we had accomplished together.”
“I wouldn’t have wanted to do it any other way or with anyone else but Ed. We’ve been on an incredible journey together that we don’t want to end.”
