Eddie Howe has confirmed he received no direct approach from the Football Association regarding the England vacancy but hinted he would have rebuffed any overtures in order to remain at Newcastle.
In the aftermath of Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as Gareth Southgate’s successor, the FA revealed it spoke to 10 potential candidates. Given Howe was widely regarded as the outstanding English contender that has raised more than a few eyebrows, but it seems the governing body was deterred by not merely the £6m release clause contained in the manager’s contract but his reluctance to leave St James’ Park.
Asked how he might have responded had the FA knocked on his door, Howe provided a telling reply. “Hypothetical questions are very dangerous to answer,” he said. “Listen, I will talk to anyone who knocks on my front door … but not in the respect of entering conversations about leaving Newcastle.”
Back in July, at Newcastle’s pre-season training camp in southern Germany and amid something of a turf war with his club’s new sporting director, Paul Mitchell, Howe had appeared to be open to an approach from the FA, but it appears that might have been more about gaining leverage with Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners as he strove to retain autonomy on Tyneside rather than any burning desire to replace Southgate.
“I said in Germany, right at the start, my focus was all on Newcastle and that has not changed for one second,” Howe said. “There was no one more pleased than me to see Thomas get the job, really, because it’s just a distraction.
“Not that it distracted me personally but you can see it’s unsettling at times when certain things are said and written about it. The more that everyone can focus on Newcastle – which has always been my only concern – the better. I genuinely think that lifting a trophy here would be my goal.”
Howe maintained he was not disappointed by the FA’s failure to try and persuade him into a change of heart through a direct approach. “No I wasn’t, no,” he replied when asked if he had been one of the 10 interviewees. “For me it’s about Newcastle.” He is also a Tuchel fan. “I’ve always said my preference would have been for an English England coach but, if you are going to go foreign, go for one of the best and I certainly think Thomas is that.
“I’ve got a relationship with Thomas. I was lucky enough to go and see him coach at Chelsea when I was out of work after leaving Bournemouth and what a brilliant guy he is. What a great person, what a great coach. I had two days with him and thought he was fascinating. I really enjoyed his company so I really wish him well. I think he’s a great appointment and I hope he leads England to many trophies.”
Given that he does not turn 47 until next month, Howe could conceivably end up managing England one day. “Who knows?” he said. “You can never predict what’s going to happen in management, you can never plan too far ahead. I certainly don’t.
“I’d never say that managing England isn’t something I’d like to do maybe one day if given the opportunity, but my focus now is Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle.”
