Eddie Howe England clause question answered as Newcastle United confirm firm stance

Newcastle United are confident of keeping Eddie Howe should England come calling in the near future.

A loss of form by the Three Lions in the build-up to the November’s World Cup has led to speculation over Gareth Southgate’s future.

Southgate is under contract until 2024 but a poor showing in Qatar will only heap pressure on the 52-year-old.

Howe, who was appointed Newcastle head coach in November last year, is viewed as a natural successor following his success at Bournemouth and now on Tyneside.

However, sporting director Dan Ashworth, who admired Howe during his days as the FA’s technical director, believes the Magpies have done everything possible to prevent Howe from joining England.

‘I would sincerely hope and be confident he’d stay’

“From a club point of view, I would like to think we have done everything we can with Eddie and his staff,” Ashworth told local reporters.

“We have given Eddie and his staff a long-term deal so we have shown our support to him and how much we think of him.

“We have tried to give him the right tools, whether that is facilities, player recruitment or enhancing some of the departments we spoke about earlier.

“We have given him all the support we can. And that includes the fans! Obviously, I work closely with Eddie and I speak to him every day.

“Things are in a good place and I would sincerely hope and be confident he’d stay but I can’t speak for Eddie and I can’t speak for the FA about whether Gareth stays until 2024 or whether there will be vacancy or whether Gareth stays beyond that or whether Eddie is on their list.

“All we can do is control the controllables and make sure that Eddie gets the support around him that gives him every chance of succeeding.”

Asked if there was a clause in Howe’s contract to leave Newcastle for England, Ashworth said: “No. We have done everything we can from a contractual point of view that you’d do for a manager coaching staff to protect the club as well as you possibly can as we can.”

Eddie Howe has already confirmed his stance

Indeed, Howe recently ruled himself out of becoming England’s next manager should Southgate depart after the World Cup.

“Gareth has done an incredible job and I mean that from the bottom of my heart,” the 44-year-old said.

“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.”