Iain Dowie was most recently manager of Hull City back in 2010 (Picture: Getty)
Former Premier League manager Iain Dowie says he is ‘lucky to be alive’ after suffering a ‘big cardiac arrest’ at a spin class.
The 59-year-old managed a number of clubs from 2002 to 2010 including Oldham Athletic, Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Queens Park Rangers and Hull City.
Dowie is also known for his playing days as a striker in which he featured for West Ham, Southampton, Crystal Palace, QPR, Fulham and Luton Town.
Although born in England, he represented Northern Ireland at international level and earned 59 caps.
It was in an interview with BBC Northern Ireland that Dowie revealed details about the cardiac arrest he suffered.
‘I went to a spin class and don’t remember too much more,’ Dowie said. ‘I had a big cardiac arrest, unfortunately.
‘Lots of people looked after me and did some great things in the gym, then the ambulance looked after me and I ended up in hospital for a good few days.
Iain Dowie was Crystal Palace’s manager between 2003 and 2006 (Picture: Getty)
‘I’ve been brilliant since and the heart is in good shape. I’ve got a little thing, an ICD [implantable cardioverter defibrillator] fitted that I hope will keep me going for another 20 years.
‘It was probably more terrifying for my wife watching, but my view is I’m one of those lads who looks forward and I’ve been very, very lucky.
‘I was in the right place to have it and perhaps it just wasn’t my time.’
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Earlier this season, Luton Town star Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during a Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth on the south coast.
The game was abandoned over the medical emergency, which occurred in the second half as Lockyer worryingly collapsed in an off-the-ball incident.
Like Dowie, Lockyer also survived, and the Wales international received an outpouring of love and support from around the footballing world.