HE has struggled to get a tune out of his Newcastle United side for much of this season – but Eddie Howe has revealed that one of his favourite ways to unwind away from football is by playing the piano.

The Magpies manager will be hoping his side hit the right notes when they entertain Wolves tomorrow, having been making music of his own in the build-up to the game.

And while he will be hoping his decisions in the dugout tomorrow are in tune with whatever is needed during the game, he readily admits his musical efforts have been somewhat off key.

“I was tinkling the ivories last night, actually,” revealed Howe. “Not very well, but yes, I do – well, I say do I play? I don’t have lessons - I was having lessons a while ago, but I stopped that – in support of my sons, really, trying to teach them. But I enjoy playing for relaxation and helping them learn.

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“It frustrates me. It is very, very difficult, and as we all know in this room, as you get older it’s difficult to learn new skills, so I'm trying.”

As a self-confessed A-Ha superfan, Howe’s preferred choice of tune to play on the piano should come as no surprise, although he admits he could have chosen a much simpler song to master.

“I did try to learn Take on Me, which is one of my favourite songs,” he said. “But anyone who’s heard that song will know how difficult and how quick that is, so I’m a long way off that.”

Even so, a few minutes of hammering the keys helps ease some of the frustrations that inevitably accompany a life in football management.

“When I’m playing the piano I’m not thinking of 4-3-3 or 4-4-2,” said Howe. “It is a chance to get away. It’s a rare moment for me to do that because in most other parts of my life, like walking the dog or going to sleep, I’m thinking about football. But the rare things you can occupy your brain with do take you away from the game.”