‘Very surprising’ - Newcastle United legend weighs in on German manager debate
Alan Shearer has revealed Eddie Howe was never “sounded out” for the England job - and is “surprised” the FA appointed a foreign coach.
However, the Newcastle United legend had no qualms about Thomas Tuchel’s appointment if he was the “outstanding” candidate. England announced the German as manager earlier today, where he will officially join on January 1.
Tuchel - sacked by Bayern Munich in May - will become the third overseas boss to manage the Three Lions. Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello previously failed during their stints in the hot seat.
Newcastle icon Shearer admitted his amazement at Howe not being approached when disclosing the news. He told The Rest Is Football podcast: “It’s happened so quickly (Tuchel's appointment). We said the other day that there is perhaps a reason why Lee Carsley was ruling himself out. Watch on Shots! Geordie Journos reflect on Newcastle United takeover - three years on
“Maybe you were right in saying he knew something that we all didn’t know. I really hope that they have spoken to English managers. I’m told they didn’t speak to Eddie Howe, or they didn’t sound him out at all. I’m reliably told, which is a big surprise for me, considering he would be the outstanding English candidate.
“I’m happy, in a way, because Newcastle are not going to be losing their manager. But he (Howe) would have been the main English candidate. For me to know that he hasn’t even been sounded out is very surprising.”
Shearer also believes the FA acted quickly to avoid losing Tuchel to Manchester United. He added: “If they sounded out Pep, fine. He’s the best manager in the world. You then have to look at what is available to you. They’ve looked at whoever and come up with Thomas Tuchel.
“Now, there was a real chance he could have got the Manchester United job very soon. So there is an opportunity is now. If they didn’t act quickly, they weren’t going to get one of the outstanding candidates.
“If he’s the outstanding candidate, yeah (whether he is comfortable with a German manager). But it would be a concern about the pathway for English coaches. They’ve brought this centre (St George’s Park) and want to promote English coaches.”