When Graham Potter became the latest leading man to be cast in a certain Stamford Bridge-based soap opera, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe soared to the top of the betting market to become the next England manager.
Quizzed just days later as to whether the biggest gig in English football appealed to him, the Magpies chief was unequivocal in his response as he moved swiftly to allay any fears he would jump ship after less than a year on Tyneside.
"Gareth has done an incredible job - I mean that from the bottom of my heart," Howe told reporters. "I'd never say never. I'd never say ‘no, it won’t be something I am interested in’. But, in the short term, [being England manager] is not on my radar at all.
