Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has already delivered verdict on future England manager role

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has already given his verdict on links with the England job as speculation over Gareth Southgate’s future with the Three Lions continues.

Southgate has established himself as one of the most successful managers in the history of the England senior men’s team after leading his side to the Euro 2020 Finals and the semi-final of the World Cup two years earlier.

The former Aston Villa and Crystal Palace star also helped the Three Lions to third place in the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and has helped a number of promising youngsters make the progression from the Under-21s to the senior side in recent years.

However, there has been constant speculation and comment over Southgate’s future, with some suggesting a more adventurous manager could bring the best out of the likes of Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka.

Howe currently sits as second favourite behind former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter to succeed Southgate - and although the Magpies boss has not ruled out taking the role at some point, he has suggesting it is not part of his thinking at the moment.

Speaking in September 2022 when links with the England role surfaced, 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.”

Further links surfaced when England were beaten by France in the quarter-final of the World Cup Finals in Qatar in December as Southgate reportedly considered stepping down from the position he has held since 2016 when he was named as interim manager following Sam Allardyce’s short-lived reign.

Howe threw his support behind the former Middlesbrough manager and insisted he was focused on the ‘long-term vision’ at Newcastle.

He said: “I hope Gareth continues the magnificent job he has done. That’s my wish for him. My only focus is Newcastle. As much as you can in football, as you know it is a very difficult game to predict.

“I’m working here with the long-term vision with short-term goals, day to day, game to game. But you are also trying to put things in place that will benefit you in the long-term. That is always hard work and I will never change that.”