Next England manager: Ex-Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur stars deliver verdict on Eddie Howe’s chances

In that time, the Magpies have picked up 71 points from 43 games and lifted themselves from looming relegation to be sat in 3rd place in the Premier League. Howe’s side have tasted defeat just once this season and will sit in the top four when the Premier League halts for the Qatar World Cup - no matter what happens during their game with Chelsea on Saturday evening.

Howe’s stock has risen sharply in the last 12 months and for many, the 44-year-old has all the makings of a future England manager. One man who shares this view is former Newcastle and Sunderland striker Louis Saha who believes Howe’s work at St James’s Park puts him firmly in the frame to become Three Lions boss in the future.

Saha told Paddy Power: “Eddie Howe has the quality to be a future England manager. When someone shows the right attitude consistently, he has the potential to go far. He won’t be feeling any pressure because Newcastle are getting results and winning games.

“When things aren’t going so well, there will be enormous pressure as Newcastle can be linked with any manager, because of their owners. He’s done very well in the transfer window.

“It would’ve been dangerous for the club if they went and signed a bunch of big names. He hasn’t destroyed the infrastructure at Newcastle, and he’s managed the egos of the bigger players.

“He’s maintained the expectations and the fans have been supportive of the style of play. It’s great to have the balance, so all credit to him more than the players because we can see that the players want to work hard for him.”

This sentiment is also shared by Tim Sherwood, however, unlike Saha, Sherwood believes Howe could even replace Gareth Southgate as England manager if his tenure as boss is ended after the World Cup.

Sherwood told Fair Betting Sites: “Eddie Howe would be my first choice [for next England manager] and Potter has claims too. As mentioned I’ve been impressed with Newcastle this season and what Eddie Howe is doing there, so he’d have to be a big contender.”