Eddie Howe has opened the door to a potential approach from the Football Association regarding the England manager’s vacancy by warning Newcastle’s revamped hierarchy that he could reconsider his future there if they fail to offer him sufficient autonomy.
Speaking at Newcastle’s pre-season training camp in southern Germany, Howe insisted he had a “burning desire” to lead the club to a trophy, but he also flexed his muscles sufficiently to suggest that, if the right “boundaries” are not established in a role he has held at St James’ Park since November 2021, he could be receptive to overtures from the FA should it deem him the right man to replace Gareth Southgate.
Howe suggested that the departure of Newcastle’s former co-owner Amanda Staveley, allied to the arrival of a new sporting director and performance director, has made for an unsettling summer on Tyneside. “For me being very, very proud to be Newcastle manager, this is all about Newcastle,” said the 46-year-old. “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.”
Nonetheless, when asked if he would reject an approach from England, Howe became equivocal. “That is absolutely someone else’s conversation, not mine,” he said. “To speak about something else while manager of Newcastle is wrong.” There was a similar subtext to his reply to an inquiry as to whether he would still be in charge at St James’ Park come the start of the new season. “As long as I feel supported by the football club and free to work in the way that I want to work, that’s the crucial thing,” he said.
Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian-owners have been concerned about the series of injuries that led to the team dropping to seventh in the Premier League last season after finishing fourth the previous year. Howe and the medical department were questioned about the reasons why so many players were in the treatment room during a recent meeting and a new performance director, James Bunce, has been appointed, partly to advise the manager on injury prevention.
Bunce is a close ally of Paul Mitchell, the new sporting director, who is expected to have a bigger involvement in player recruitment than his predecessor, Dan Ashworth. Under Ashworth and Staveley, Howe had the power to veto any prospective signing.
“There has been a lot of change,” said Howe. “It has been a very difficult summer for everyone connected with the club. With change comes always a new feeling. That’s why I’ve made the points that I have because this has to work for Newcastle. I have been really happy for two and a half years. I have loved every second of the relationships that I’ve had and the way I’ve been able to work. I think that has brought success. We’re in the flux of change, I can’t say with a definitive answer where that will lead.”
Howe is among the frontrunners for the national team post, alongside the likes of Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Jürgen Klopp, following Southgate’s departure on Tuesday. While in charge of Bournemouth, Howe described England as the ultimate job and one that would be impossible to turn down. Speaking on Friday, he made it clear that things have since changed. “These are all historical quotes,” he said. “I think England is a very special job. I am very patriotic. I love my country. But I don’t have that job like a burning sensation in me that I have to do it at some stage.
“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 key driver for me has always been my happiness and my ability to do the job.”
Newcastle’s chief executive, Darren Eales, made it clear the club will fight to keep Howe soon after he was first linked with the England job. “I’m not going to talk about the specifics of Eddie’s contract but he’s on a multi-year deal which was extended last summer,” said Eales. “He’s our employee and we’re not looking to release Eddie.”
Howe also made it clear on Friday, that he “absolutely wants to stay” at Newcastle before reiterating that the working environment there has to suit him for him to remain in situ. “There’s absolutely no point in me saying I’m happy staying at Newcastle if the dynamic isn’t right,” he said. “As a new team coming together we have to set our boundaries.
“That’s no criticism of anyone who has come in. 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. Early dealings with James Bunce have been top class. My early impression is he’s going to be fantastic, but it’s a new relationship and we have to see how we work together.
Without going into too much detail the boundaries of relationship and how they’re going to work is slightly unclear.”
