'As long as' - Eddie Howe tells Newcastle United what it will take to keep him amid England talk
Eddie Howe has warned Newcastle United chiefs that they must keep him happy if he is to resist a potential approach from England.
The Magpies’ head coach is seeking clarity following a “difficult summer”. Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, both of whom had a close relationship with Howe, have left the football club with Paul Mitchell arriving as sporting director and James Bunce as performance director.
The behind the scenes changes come at a time when England are on the lookout for a new manager and Howe, given his achievements at St James’ Park and previously at AFC Bournemouth, has emerged as a preferred choice, if rumours are to be believed.
CEO Darren Eales said earlier this week Newcastle would fight to keep Howe and revealed his confidence that he will stay.
When asked if he would be in charge for the first Premier League game of the campaign against Southampton, Howe replied: “As long as I’m happy in the position that I’m in. As long as I feel supported by the football club and free to work in the way that I want to work, yes. That is the crucial thing.”
Reflecting on the summer, Howe said: “There has been a lot of change at the football club this summer. It has been a very difficult summer for everyone connected with the club. With change comes always a new feeling.
“You can point to PSR, Amanda and Mehrdad, a change in sporting director which, of course, influences me. These are all big changes. That is why I’ve made the points that I have because this has to work for Newcastle.
“It’s not about me as the manager. I’m slightly irrelevant. It’s about making sure Newcastle United is as strong as it can be for the next season and beyond. We’ve all got to come together and make sure we are the force that we want to be.”
Howe said he loves Newcastle and there is “no better place” for him. So what will it take for him to be happy?
”I don’t want to go into every minute detail,” he replied. 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, it’s just happened. I can’t say with a definitive answer where that will lead. I hope it leads to everything that I’ve just said. That could easily be the case, but it needs to be that way for Newcastle, not so much for me. The club is always the most important thing.”
Although England has and will continue to crop up in conversation, Howe said: “I hope, from the answer I’ve just given, that there is everything you need to know in there. For me, it’s not about England. That is absolutely someone else’s conversation, not mine. Mine is Newcastle. To speak about something else while manager of Newcastle is wrong. I don’t think I have to say the answer again. The answer is clear.”