Eddie Howe breaks silence on England interest & what Newcastle United must do to stop him leaving

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Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has addressed the speculation linking him with the England manager’s job.

Howe emerged as the Football Association’s top choice to replace Gareth Southgate after it was confirmed the former Middlesbrough defender would be stepping down from his role.

Following the links, Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales stated that Howe is at the forefront of the club’s long-term plans having agreed a contract extension last summer. Eales also said the club would fight to keep hold of Howe if an approach was made by England, who would have to pay a compensation fee to The Magpies in order to appoint him.

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And Howe has reinforced his commitment to Newcastle when speaking at Adidas Headquarters in Germany this afternoon.

“So, for me, being very, very proud to be Newcastle manager, this is all about Newcastle,” Howe told reporters. “It’s not about England. So, as long as I am happy, feel supported, feel free to work in the way that I want to work, I have not thought of anything else other than Newcastle.

“I absolutely love the club. I love the supporters. I love where I am at in my career. There is no better place for me to be. That is how I feel.

“For me, it’s not about England. That is absolutely someone else’s conversation, not mine. Mine is Newcastle. To speak about something else while manager of Newcastle is wrong.

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“I don’t think I have to say the answer again. The answer is clear.” 

Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United at Brentford Community Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United at Brentford Community Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United at Brentford Community Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While Howe’s answer appeared clear, he then put out a slight warning to the club when discussing his future.

When asked if he would remain as manager, Howe responded: “As long as I’m happy in the position that I’m in.

“As long as I feel supported by the football club and free to work in the way that I want to work, yes. That is the crucial thing.

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“There has been a lot of change at the football club this summer. It has been a very difficult summer for everyone connected with the club. With change comes always a new feeling. 

“You can point to PSR, Amanda [Staveley] and Mehrdad [Ghodoussi leaving], a change in sporting director which, of course, influences me. These are all big changes.

“That is why I’ve made the points that I have because this has to work for Newcastle. It’s not about me as the manager. I’m slightly irrelevant.

“It’s about making sure Newcastle United is as strong as it can be for the next season and beyond. We’ve all got to come together and make sure we are the force that we want to be.” 

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When pressed on the matter, Howe still would not completely rule out a departure from Newcastle.

“I absolutely want to stay but it has to be right for me and the football club,” he continued. “There’s absolutely no point in me saying I’m happy staying at Newcastle if the dynamic isn’t right. I’m certainly not serving Newcastle well if I do that.

“It’s been a difficult summer in various aspects, no one more important than the other, but as a new team coming together [off pitch] we have to set our boundaries. We have to see if we can work together in a really fluid, dynamic way to the benefit of Newcastle. 

“I’m working every day with the new people to see if the relationships can be beneficial to Newcastle. The transfer window is absolutely massive.

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“That’s no criticism of anyone who has come in. I want to make that absolutely clear. 

“Paul Mitchell has an outstanding record as a sporting director, he’s dynamic, he’s very strong, I think he’s exactly the sort of person Newcastle need to take the club forward.

“I’ve absolutely no issues with anyone personally but of course we move together, we have to be able to work together in key relationships for the football club.

“I’m not talking about England. England is not even on my focus, it’s all about Newcastle it has been all summer.”

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Howe has gone on the record discussing the England job on numerous occasions but has often remained coy about the role.

“I have seen a few of the quotes that historically have come back,” he continued. “I think there’s a book coming out! These all are historical quotes. Apart from the Gary Neville interview, they’re not quotes I’ve said in the last year.

“Wherever I’ve worked, I’ve never had a career agenda. Football management changes so quickly. 

“I think England is a very special job for someone. I am very patriotic and I’m not ashamed to say that. I love my country. I want my country to do well. I was gutted for Gareth and the lads that they did not win the Euros. But I don’t have that job like a burning sensation in me that I have to do it at some stage.”

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“I've said before, if it happens at some stage in the future, then it's to be for me. If not, then I'm very, very happy in the current role that I'm doing. The day-to-day management."

Howe went on to admit that he could turn down the England job if offered the role.

“Of course,” he said. “I think it depends on your situation. For me, I've been in this situation in my career a lot.

“I had this situation a lot at Bournemouth in my second spell, but I was very, very happy, in my environment, in my day-to-day workings. So I had no desire to leave.

“For me, that's always been my key driver: My happiness and my ability to do my job."

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