‘No chance’ - Ex-Sunderland man urges Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe to turn down job offer

Ex-Sunderland man Darren Bent has urged Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe not to take the England job if the opportunity arises in the future. The Three Lions still have Gareth Southgate in charge ahead of the Euros in Germany next year.

Howe has been naturally linked with the top job over recent times. He has done impressive work with the Toon Army over the past couple of years. Newcastle turned to him after parting company with Steve Bruce. The 45-year-old has since guided them into the Champions League.

Bent has told talkSPORT: “There is no way on this planet...if I’m Eddie Howe, I’m not leaving Newcastle for the England job. Absolutely not. No chance. Eddie Howe might leave Newcastle, go to England and not work out. Give me a Champions League side.”

Speaking back in September 2022, Howe had this to say about whether he’d be interested in England: “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. 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.”

Prior to his move to Newcastle, Howe had two stints at AFC Bournemouth with a spell at Burnley in between. He penned a long-term contract at St. James’ Park last year.