And so it begins - The FA will approach Newcastle United over boss Eddie Howe if Gareth Southgate steps down from England
Sure as night follows day, the rumours of Eddie Howe succeeding Gareth Southgate as England boss will surface whenever there's talk of the former Middlesbrough gaffer stepping down.
Despite Eddie Howe saying several times that he has no desire to take the England job in the near future, the rumours always persist when it looks as though Southgate may be about to turn his back on the England job.
As much as I long for the day Captain Sensible walks away from the England gig, I can't be doing with all the uncertainty and disruption that the media will bring when it comes to Eddie Howe.
The Northern Echo have today reported that the FA will seek permission from Newcastle United to talk to Howe should Southgate step down after Euro 2024.
Southgate is likely to step down as England boss this summer
Southgate has already said that he feels that if England don't win this summer's tournament then it may be time for some new blood at the helm of the national side, and while Eddie Howe would be a brilliant choice for the role, he's still got plenty of work to do at Newcastle first.
And that's not so much as saying that as the man himself, who has said on several occasions that he's got plenty more to offer at club level before looking at international management.
He hasn't ruled out the England job entirely but heavily suggested that he won't want to take it any time soon.
Eddie Howe recently spoke about the England job on The Overlap
The latest talk of Howe taking over England was when he sat down with Gary Neville for The Overlap.
“It’s a strange one for me because I’m totally oblivious to everything. I’m so focused on the day-to-day part, it’s not a cliched answer, it’s the truth, I don’t lift my head and see what is going on or what people say.
“Talking on the national team, my big memories were watching you (Neville) play for England. That era was very much me in my early years forming a love with England and wanting them to do well, having that feeling of devastation when we didn’t quite make it over the line.
“I loved that feeling of watching the national team, I was submersed in it. I love England and I hope they go on and win the Euros this summer, and I think they can. I love Gareth, and I’ve got a real determination for England to win.
“I’ve never really thought about international football for me, personally. Who knows what will happen in the future.”
Eddie can't go until he wins a trophy or completely screws things up
For us, at least right now, Eddie Howe's job at Newcastle won't be done until he guides us to silverware and then we'll decide what happens after that.
Or at the other end of the spectrum, should he lead us to the relegation zone then we would reconsider his position.
In the latter case, would you even want him to manage England then? Although, let's be honest, Southgate's managerial career was hardly spectacular before he took over England, and as much as it pains me to say it, he's done alright.
