Not even a week has passed since England bowed out of World Cup 2022, but yet again Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been linked to the Three Lions’ top job.
It is no surprise to see Howe so high in the betting to be the next England boss after his performance in charge of the Magpies, but it may be a surprise that it is all happening before Gareth Southgate has even decided on his future.
Southgate has a contract in place until 2024, but there have been mutterings among fans and pundits that perhaps he has taken this England team as far as he can. This is a very exciting young team that has now picked up plenty of experience on a World Stage.
The project of leading the current squad into the coming tournaments will be tempting for many managers, but Eddie Howe is in the middle of his own exciting project on Tyneside and is unlikely to walk away at such an exciting time.
In fact, Howe had already distanced himself from becoming the next England boss even before the World Cup kicked off in Qatar.
Speaking to ChronicleLive, Howe said: “Gareth has done an incredible job – I mean that from the bottom of my heart. 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. 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 Newcastle in 3rd place in the table after an incredible start to the season, and with the January transfer window fast approaching – with the prospect of bringing more quality into his squad – it would be very surprising if he were to jump ship.
Howe is currently the third favourite to be the next England boss, behind only Mauricio Pochetino and Thomas Tuchel in the betting. Fellow Englishmen, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, and Steven Gerrard are also being mentioned as possibilities.