'No doubt': Alan Shearer risks upsetting Newcastle fans with statement made on Peter Crouch's podcast

Alan Shearer has chimed in on the debate as to who will replace Gareth Southgate as England manager should he step down after Euro 2024.

Gareth Southgate has been England manager for the best part of eight years now and seems to have more lives than a cat. Under Southgate's stewardship, the Three Lions have often looked dull and pretty poor in friendlies but always seem to turn it on for tournaments which saves Southgate's bacon.

England have never really played attractive football under Southgate but it has been functional and there have been some nearly moments under Southgate, but the former Middlesbrough boss is contemplating stepping down from the role after the European Championships in the summer.

That brings up the debate of who replaces him when he's gone and of course, the name that always pops up is Newcastle United manager, Eddie Howe.

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Howe is definitely a future England manager

Eddie Howe was last season's highest-placed English manager after guiding Newcastle to fourth in the Premier League, and the job he's done at Newcastle since he came in after guiding Bournemouth up through the leagues has only strengthened his claim to the England hot seat.

That's not to say that it's a job that Howe wants just yet, but he has said "Never say never", but for now he has his sights set on bringing silverware to Newcastle.

Alan Shearer knows this but still mentioned Howe for the job when asked by Peter Crouch on That Peter Crouch Podcast.

Eddie's name will be mentioned if the job comes up

Without out-and-out endorsing Howe for the job, he does suggest that he will definitely be considered should Southgate step down.

“The obvious one last season was Eddie Howe but you know how football works.

“He took Newcastle to fourth last year and I know they have struggled this year but everyone would have said him last year. There’s no doubt he will get a mention if and when the England job comes up.”

Shearer is right, he will definitely get a mention, even after this season where the Magpies could be viewed as having taken a backward step, but we think it's too soon for Howe both in terms of his career but more importantly in terms of his plans for Newcastle United.