'For me, it's about Newcastle': Eddie Howe's big message to the fans amid job speculation

Friday morning saw Eddie Howe greet the press as the new manager of the England national team - or at least you'd have been forgiven for thinking so given how much the press pushed him for answers on Thomas Tuchel's appointment to the role.

Eddie Howe was immediately linked to the vacant England manager role when Gareth Southgate stepped down after Euro 2024. A lot of pundits and even bookies had Howe as their favourite for the job forcing him to speak out and distance himself from the job while on pre-season in Germany.

Howe continued to put the blockers up around the job, insisting that his focus remained on Newcastle United right up until Thomas Tuchel was appointed in midweek.

However, despite the appointment having been made, the media still felt that the England situation was more important than Newcastle's upcoming game and a lot of Friday's press briefing revolved around England.

Eddie Howe wasn't approached by the FA

Now at least fans can rest easy that our gaffer isn't going to be poached by The FA, but as it turns out, Howe wasn't even approached about the job and all the speculation was coming from the media as Howe confirmed that he'd never been sounded out for the job while giving his views on the appointment of a non-English manager.

“I was not (contacted). There was no contact from the FA. England have to do what is right for them. Only they will know the processes they have gone through. For me it is about Newcastle. I remain 100 per cent focused to my work, if you drop focus the job becomes impossible.

“Yes, of course there were (English) candidates, but I’m not going to critique the FA’s decision. The decision is down to them. They know a lot more than I do. They will have all the information. I don’t think it’s for me to judge that decision.

“But there are people out there who I think are very, very good who are English and they’re available. But I’m sure the FA did their work on that and they’ve come to their decision.”

Eddie Howe is fully focused on the task at hand

Howe would later go on to reinforce his point from the summer that he is committed to the job at Newcastle and that lifting a trophy with the Magpies is his main aim.

“I’d never say that managing England isn’t something I’d like to do, maybe one day, if given the opportunity. For me as kid I loved World Cups. I loved European Championships. I was obsessed with England trying to win something. I really do hope Thomas is able to do that for the country.”

“But my focus is Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle. I said in Germany right at the start, my focus was all on Newcastle and that has not changed for one second. I genuinely think about Newcastle and trying to lift a trophy here would be my goal. I immerse myself with what I’m in currently, so no other thoughts have entered my head.”