Eddie Howe responds when asked if he would leave Newcastle to take England job

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Eddie Howe has told Friday’s press conference – as per the Chronicle – that he would be open to taking the England job at some point in the future, but right now he is focusing on Newcastle United after signing a long-term deal.

Howe, 44, took the Newcastle job in 2021, replacing Steve Bruce. The ex-Bournemouth gaffer has since excelled in the St. James’ Park hotseat, winning 15 of his 36 matches in charge. He took Newcastle to a very impressive 11th.

It comes after taking over on Tyneside with the club firmly planted in the relegation zone. He has starred as Toon manager. While it has been a tricky start to the season this time around, Newcastle fans are delighted with Howe.

Of course, there are not many options when it comes to England picking an English manager. Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Graham Potter and Steve Cooper are in the Premier League. Potter has only just joined Chelsea.

Howe, meanwhile, has signed a long-term deal on Tyneside. Asked about replacing £115k-a-week Southgate with his name sure to be in the mix, Howe said he would never rule out England – but he is focused on Newcastle.

“Gareth has done an incredible job – I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I’d never say never, but it’s not on my radar. It’s all Newcastle and investing on trying to make this team the best I can,” Howe told The Chronicle.

Howe open to taking England job in future but focused on Newcastle

The talk of replacing Southgate at England level comes with rumours circulating the Three Lions gaffer could step down after the Qatar World Cup, regardless of how England do. Howe is likely to be a name that is considered.

England will want to hand the job to someone English. Potter is out of the question after his move to Chelsea. It is probably a step too far for Cooper – and too early for Lampard or Gerrard. So, Howe makes sense to a degree.

But ultimately, if England are going to replace Southgate, it might be that they have to bring in a manager that is not English. Plenty have been linked, Jose Mourinho, Mauricio Pochettino. Howe is right to focus on the Toon job.