England managerial candidate Eddie Howe has hinted he could leave Newcastle United if the club try to change how he operates.
The FA are on the lookout for a successor to Gareth Southgate and 90min understands Howe is one of the candidates shortlisted.
Howe’s contract at St James’ Park runs until 2027 and the FA would have to pay a release clause north of £5m if they are to appoint him as England manager.
Speaking in an interview while away on Newcastle’s pre-season training camp in Germany, Howe insisted he is not thinking about taking the England job, but stressed the conditions must be right if he is to continue with the Magpies.
“I absolutely want to stay, but it has to be right for me and the football club. There’s absolutely no point in me saying I’m happy staying at Newcastle if the dynamic isn’t right. I’m certainly not serving Newcastle well if I do that,” Howe said.
“So, as long as I am happy, feel supported, feel free to work in the way that I want to work, I have not thought of anything else other than Newcastle. I absolutely love the club. I love the supporters. I love where I am at in my career. There is no better place for me to be.”
Newcastle recently announced the departures of co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi – two of Howe’s main allies at boardroom level – while Paul Mitchell has succeeded Dan Ashworth as sporting director.
Change is afoot at Newcastle / Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/GettyImages
Howe acknowledged this upheaval but used it to reinforce his point that he wants to maintain a level of control within the club’s new ‘dynamic’.
“There has been a lot of change at the football club this summer. It has been a very difficult summer for everyone connected with the club. With change comes always a new feeling,” he continued.
“You can point to PSR, Amanda and Mehrdad, a change in sporting director which, of course, influences me. These are all big changes. That is why I’ve made the points that I have, because this has to work for Newcastle.
“It’s not about me as the manager. I’m slightly irrelevant. It’s about making sure Newcastle United is as strong as it can be for the next season and beyond. We’ve all got to come together and make sure we are the force that we want to be.
“For me, it’s not about England. That is absolutely someone else’s conversation, not mine. Mine is Newcastle. To speak about something else while manager of Newcastle is wrong. I don’t think I have to say the answer again. The answer is clear.”
When asked if he would still be Newcastle manager for their Premier League opener against Southampton on 17 August, Howe replied: “As long as I’m happy in the position that I’m in. As long as I feel supported by the football club and free to work in the way that I want to work, yes. That is the crucial thing.
“I’m not talking about England. England is not even on my focus, it’s all about Newcastle, it has been all summer. I think England is a very special job for someone. I am very patriotic and I’m not ashamed to say that. I love my country. I want my country to do well. I was gutted for Gareth and the lads that they did not win the Euros but I don’t have a burning sensation in me that I have to do it [the England job] at some stage.
“I have been really happy for two-and-a-half years. I have loved every second of the relationships that I’ve had and the way I’ve been able to work. I think that has brought success.
“We’re in the flux of change, it’s just happened. I can’t say with a definitive answer where that will lead. I hope it leads to everything that I’ve just said. I’m not really seeking assurances. I don’t think I have the right to challenge those or the want to challenge those decisions. The club has to choose its direction and that is absolutely their right.
“I’ve got no issue with that, but obviously I have to be happy in my work. I have to feel that this is something that can benefit me and the football club for it to work.”
