Footage resurfaces of Eddie Howe’s old thoughts on England job with Newcastle boss on FA radar

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe once declared he would “never say no” to England, having been identified as a possible replacement for Gareth Southgate.

Southgate announced on Tuesday that he had stepped down as manager of the Three Lions following their defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, ending an eight-year spell in charge.

This led to Howe, Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter emerging as possible candidates to take charge of the 1966 World Cup champions.

And talkSPORT understands Howe would consider an offer from England – something Newcastle legend Alan Shearer feared would happen.

It is not the first time the 36-year-old has been linked with the role, having been touted as a possible option in 2016, prior to Sam Allardyce’s appointment.

In footage that resurfaced following Southgate’s resignation, Howe spoke about what it was like to manage England while speaking on the Premier League Show in 2016.

Speaking during his time at Bournemouth, he told Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker: “The England job, I think, is the best. I would never say no.”

But he was quick to stress he would remain loyal to his club, in a sign that could be welcome news for nervous Newcastle fans.

He added during the 2016 filming: “That’s not something I want to consider.

“It’s not something in my immediate thoughts. My immediate thoughts are for this club and this job.”

“If I want to be the best manager I can be, I need to get the ‘now’ right.

“That’s why I would say I’m extremely ambitious for this club – if the club does well, the team does well, everyone benefits.”

He was then asked about his future in 2022, where he stressed he remains fully committed to the Magpies, insisting coaching England was not in his thoughts.

Howe commented: “I never say never, I never say, ‘No, that’s not going to be something that interests me.’

“But in the short term it’s not on my radar. It’s all Newcastle and trying to make this team better.

“I’ve always said I love the daily training, I love being with the players on the training pitch, (in) international football you go without that for long periods.

“At this point in my life, that’s not something I want to do.”

And Howe again remained reticent about having coached England during his appearance on Gary Neville’s Overlap YouTube channel in May.

He said: “I love Gareth (Southgate) and I’m really determined to support England to win.

“I’ve never really thought about international football for me personally. Who knows what will happen in the future.”