Eddie Howe's comments on England job when quizzed by the media in 2022

In light of Gareth Southgate’s resignation and the immediate links to Eddie Howe becoming his successor in the England job, it’s interesting to see what the Newcastle boss has said about the Three Lions’ job during his time on Tyneside.

The 46-year-old will speak to the media on Friday and is bound to take questions on the England links, but here's what he had to say on the matter back in September 2022:

“Gareth has done an incredible job and I mean that from the bottom of my heart I’ve 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, in international football you get that taken away for long periods. At this moment in my life that is not something I want to do.”

While people may say that managers can, and often do, change their minds. It may be worth noting that five years ago, while in charge at Bournemouth, Howe said “the England job, I think, is the ultimate. I would never say no but that’s not something I want to consider and not something in my immediate thoughts. My immediate thoughts are this club and this job.”

While writing this, Sky Sports have reported that Howe is on a bumper contract and earning almost double what Southgate was paid by the FA. Added to this is Darren Eales insisting there is no release clause in this deal, with our CEO insisting that we will fight to keep him on Tyneside - even if England do come calling.

Football is never this simple though and we know anything can happen. What is certain is that this is an issue that requires a quick resolution for both club and country, with preseason starting in earnest and a World Cup two years away. In my opinion, I would hate to see him go and would love to see him finish the job he has so brilliantly started here.