Eddie Howe has ruled himself out of succeeding Gareth Southgate as England boss.
The Newcastle head coach admitted the top job at the Football Association might be an ambition in the future. But Howe says he loved the day to day coaching of club management and that he is totally focused on the Tyneside club where he has a long term contract.
Howe has emerged as one of the main home grown contenders to be next England boss, with Southgate facing a crossroads after the World Cup in December. The England chief was booed by fans after the Italy game last week, but his side reacted well to going behind to Germany fighting out a 3-3 draw.
England are six games without a win, and Southgate admits there will be a review of the situation if the World Cup goes badly. England’s options to replace Southgate have narrowed because Graeme Potter has joined Chelsea on a long term deal.
Howe said: “Gareth has done an incredible job and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I have been lucky enough to go in and see him work and I have a lot of time for him and Steve Holland. They have been amazing for England. You have to remember where England were before he took over and what he has done for the country.
“I never say never, never say no, it won’t be something I am interested in. But in the short term it is not on my radar at all. It is all Newcastle and trying to make this team better. I have always said I love the day to day coaching, love being with the players on the training ground, international football you get that taken away for long periods. At this moment in my life that is not something I want to do.”
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Howe has backed keeper Nicky Pope to continue his fine form for Newcastle, after his error which gifted Germany their third and equalising goal. He said: “It's a very difficult position to play in. I remember playing in goal a few times as a 10-year-old and I made a couple of mistakes and that was me out, I didn't want to do it any more. You need to love goalkeeping and then you need to be able to deal with mistakes. It's part of the job when you're in that position.
“Nick is a very calm, level-headed guy, he's incredibly focused. I've got no problem with him returning. I know he'll carry on where he left off for us. It's probably a shield that you build up through many years of playing in goal. I spoke with Nick, he is in a good place and knows how special those games are for his career. I was proud of him for representing his country from Newcastle.”
Callum Wilson is back for Newcastle’s trip to Fulham but Alexander Isak is a doubt with a muscle injury picked up on Sweden duty. Allan Saint Maximin is in contention. Newcastle have not won for six games, and Howe said: “It is a key spell for us. The first seven games have been positive in lots of ways. Maybe not in terms of the points delivery and games we have won. We are desperate to win and achieve great things. We can’t overreact. We have to turn draws into wins. No excuses from me. I am confident we can attack these games.”
