Eddie Howe has confirmed he was NOT one of the ten candidates interviewed by the FA for the England job, but did not rule out managing his country in the future.
Mail Sport reported on Thursday that the FA were put off by a compensation figure likely to exceed £6million for the Newcastle boss.
German Thomas Tuchel was unveiled as the new head coach at a press conference at Wembley on Wednesday, where CEO Mark Bullingham claimed he had interviewed 10 people, including some English candidates.
Howe was asked Friday if he was among the interlocutors and said, “I wasn’t. There was no contact with the FA. England must do what is right for them. Only they will know the processes they went through. For me it’s about Newcastle. I remain 100 percent focused on my work, if you lose focus the work becomes impossible.’
Howe says he would have preferred the appointment to have been made in English – and believes there were suitable candidates available.
Eddie Howe has confirmed he was not one of the ten people interviewed for the England job
“Yes, of course there were (English) candidates,” he said. ‘But I’m not going to criticize the FA’s decision. The decision is theirs. They know a lot more than I do. They will have all the information. I don’t think it’s up to me to judge that decision.
‘But there are people who I think are very, very good, who speak English and are available. But I’m sure the FA have worked on that and come to a decision.”
Tuchel has signed an 18-month contract that expires after the 2026 World Cup. Would Howe ever fancy a job in England?
‘Who knows?’ he said. ‘I’ve always said that you can never predict what will happen in management, you can never plan too far ahead. Certainly not.
‘But I would never say that managing England isn’t something I would like to do, maybe one day, if I get the chance. For me as a kid I loved World Cups. I loved European Championships. I was obsessed with England wanting to win something. I really hope Thomas can do that for the country.
‘But my focus is on Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle. I said in Germany (two days after Gareth Southgate resigned) that my focus from the start was entirely on Newcastle and that hasn’t changed for a second. I’m really thinking about Newcastle and trying to lift a trophy here would be my goal. I’m immersed in what I’m currently doing, so no other thoughts have entered my head.’
About Tuchel, Howe said: ‘I have a relationship with Thomas. I was lucky enough to watch him work at Chelsea when I was out of work, and what a brilliant guy, what a great person, what a great coach.
‘I had two days with him and found him fascinating. I really enjoyed his company, so I really wish him the best. I think he is a great appointment and I hope he will lead England to many trophies.”
He added: ‘I’ve always said – and I’ve been very clear on this – my preference would have been an English coach but if you go abroad go for one of the best and I certainly think that Thomas that is. That.’
