'That will continue': Eddie Howe sends Newcastle United fans defiant message over England speculation

Many Newcastle United fans were likely refreshing their YouTube page/app at 4pm today waiting for the Eddie Howe interview to drop.

Following on from Darren Eales and Paul Mitchell's interviews from the Adidas World of Sport HQ, Eddie Howe has now spoken to the NUFC media team and of course, the first question right off the rip was to ask his thoughts on the situation regarding England.

Eddie Howe sits at the top of many a pundit's, fan's and journalist's list as the man to succeed Gareth Southgate as England boss.

We're sure that many Newcastle fans would back him for the role too if he weren't our gaffer. But he is our gaffer, and we don't want that to change.

Eddie Howe says he is very proud and honoured to be Newcastle boss

Eddie Howe drew upon his classic comment about not paying attention to the media and used being in Germany as an excuse to not know about the speculation, but then offered up a great answer which should put many fans' minds at rest.

"It's a difficult one really, being so detached and away from everything here in Germany.

"I wasn't aware that Gareth [Southgate] had left and then of course, Gareth has left and I'm sure back home, and I've heard that back home there's a lot of talk.

"I think from my perspective, I absolutely love and I'm very proud and honoured to be Newcastle manager and as long as I remain happy and free to do my job in the way that I have been and feel supported then that will continue."

Eddie Howe gave about as direct an answer as Eddie Howe can

Howe then went on to say that the speculation has had zero impact on the mood in the camp in Germany.

As far as direct answers from Eddie Howe go, this is pretty definitive.

Unless something goes very wrong behind the scenes and the club start imposing restrictions on him, then he looks dead set to continue.