Newcastle sporting director speaks out on fears Eddie Howe could quit for England job

Newcastle are confident Eddie Howe is going nowhere (Image: GETTY)

Newcastle have no concerns about the Football Association approaching Eddie Howe for the England manager's role, as they are keen for him to stay and build the club long-term.

The Magpies' head coach has been strongly linked with the Three Lions job since Gareth Southgate stepped down after the Euros.

Concerns were reignited that Howe could be nudged towards an exit from St James' Park following the club's failure to secure a major signing this summer.

Lee Carsley will oversee England's matches against Ireland on Friday and Finland on Tuesday. The FA may intensify their hunt for a permanent manager in time for the March internationals, with Howe being considered.

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But he maintains his full commitment to Newcastle as long as he is content. Newcastle's sporting director Paul Mitchell has now addressed the rumours surrounding Howe and the England job, dismissing the speculation.

Mitchell said: "The way I see it is that it's proof that someone's doing a really great job. I think Eddie getting recognised with a job like that, because of the work he's done, is fair recognition for the really good job that he's done.

"I think Eddie has said this, and I'm no different, we're both proud Englishmen. We want Eddie Howe as our head coach for as long as we can. The way I see it is that it's an example that it's proof that someone's doing a really great job.

"I think Eddie getting recognised with a job like that, because of the work he's done, is fair recognition for the really good job that he's done.

Lee Carsley is the interim England manager (Image: GETTY)

"But we also recognise we are on a journey, and we also recognise his quality and his potential as well. Once again, I've never been a guy scared of interest in any of our staff members, especially our head coach, and especially from a level of organisation that the FA is.

"As an Englishman, I am proud. And I think it's a recognition of the two-and-a-half years he's had here and the job he did at Bournemouth. It's a really good practitioner being recognised for what he's done."

Mitchell says he is building a relationship with Howe and that they have lots of "commonality" and are working well together.

Asked if he would be involved in hiring and firing managers, Mitchell said: "'Am I involved? Yes. Will I have an opinion? Yes. Should I have an opinion? Yes. But in this current structure it will be dependent on multiple people's opinions at a given time where that decision would be taken.

"The last time I saw him Eddie was pretty happy because we'd just beaten Tottenham at home, he was chuffed to bits.

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Paul Mitchell is confident Newcastle can keep hold of Eddie Howe (Image: GETTY) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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"Contrary to opinion, we speak every night more or less, and every day a minimum of once, on all different topics. I think this idea that me and Eddie haven't spoken all the way through the transfer window is false.

"All the way right up to the last minutes, he is fully updated and involved. We speak literally an hour a night. If we aren't able to physically communicate we'll use WhatsApp. He'll get regular updates from me - this is happening, this looks like it's happening, this player is going on loan.

"We speak one hour every evening if we can't see each other during the day - this is what has happened today, this is where we are with a potential player, where we are with the current exit strategy... For me, that is a healthy level of communication for where we are at that time."

Mitchell also disclosed that Howe identified Marc Guehi as the sole transfer option that could enhance his starting XI, but Newcastle were unable to afford the £70million-plus deal.

Newcastle sporting director speaks out on fears Eddie Howe could quit for England job

Newcastle sporting director speaks out on fears Eddie Howe could quit for England job

Newcastle sporting director speaks out on fears Eddie Howe could quit for England job

Newcastle sporting director speaks out on fears Eddie Howe could quit for England job

Newcastle sporting director speaks out on fears Eddie Howe could quit for England job