Newcastle boss Eddie Howe would consider England offer as FA prepares shortlist of Gareth Southgate replacements
Eddie Howe would consider an offer from the Football Association to become the new England manager, talkSPORT understands.
Howe is one of the leading candidates to take charge of the Three Lions after Gareth Southgate confirmed he is stepping down in the wake of Sunday's Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
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Howe has a long-term contract and Newcastle would be entitled to compensation, although not as much as the £8million they could have demanded had the Magpies qualified for the Champions League last season.
The north east side have undergone significant changes at boardroom level this summer with Paul Mitchell replacing Dan Ashworth as sporting director and James Bunce recruited as performance director.
Howe has also seen two key allies among the St James' Park hierarchy depart with Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi selling their shares.
Newcastle's chief executive Darren Eales, though, said on Tuesday that the Premier League club would fight to keep Howe should the FA make an approach.
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"We're obviously committed to him. He had a multi-year extension last summer and we're on an exciting journey. As far as we're concerned, Eddie is the man to lead us on that," he said.
"We've not had recent discussions," Eales continued. "The first thing to say is that in any organisation if you are performing well there will be speculation from other clubs. But Eddie is under a long-term contract with the club.
"You see him, he loves the day to day of club football and we have an exciting project here in terms of the commitment from the ownership and the journey we want to go on. We are really excited about this season ahead."
He then added he'd fight to keep the boss in the St James' dugout.
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"He is exactly the right man for the project we are on at Newcastle United and that is why we are committed to a long-term deal with him. That's why we think he's the right man for Newcastle. We love him."
The FA have not ruled out appointing an overseas coach with Argentine Mauricio Pochettino a potential option.
Ex-FA Chief Adrian Bevington reveals the process of finding new England manager to replace Gareth Southgate
And talkSPORT understands that the FA are admirers of Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, with technical director John McDermott following his career closely.
Though it is believed that the Australian, who may find himself on England's shortlist, will be too expensive for the FA.
And Postecoglou has appeared to rule out managing England, as he told reporters after his side's 5-1 win over Hearts: "I'm the Tottenham manager and I'm determined to bring success to this club. That's where my focus is totally."
Other homegrown contenders include the out of work Graham Potter and victorious under-21 European Championship winning coach Lee Carsley, as exclusively revealed by talkSPORT earlier this summer.
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil is also thought to have admirers within the FA.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham confirmed the search for Southgate's replacement is underway with England's next match seeing them face the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.
Bullingham said: "The process for appointing Gareth’s successor is now under way and we aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible.
"Our UEFA Nations League campaign starts in September, and we have an interim solution in place if it is needed.
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"We know there will be inevitable speculation, but we won’t be commenting further on our process until we appoint."
Southgate was in the role for almost eight years, announcing his departure on Tuesday, two days after England's heart-breaking defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
"As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.
"But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager.
"I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.
"I could not have had anyone better alongside me than Steve Holland. He is one of the most talented coaches of his generation, and has been immense.
"I have had the privilege of leading a large group of players in 102 games. Every one of them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways.
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"The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them, and I hope we get behind the players and the team at St. George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football, and understand the power football has to drive positive change.
"My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them – the brilliant ‘team behind the team’.
"We have the best fans in the world, and their support has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be.
"I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can.
"Thank you, England – for everything."
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Southgate will likely be viewed as England's greatest manager since World Cup-winning manager Sir Alf Ramsey having guided the Three Lions to huge success.
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His first tournament in charge saw England reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup, with the team's worst performance seeing them exit at the quarter-final stage at the 2022 World Cup.
England reached the finals of both European Championships led by Southgate but they suffered heartache on both occasions as they were beaten 2-1 by Spain last weekend and lost on penalties to Italy in the summer of 2021.