Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has reaffirmed his commitment to the club despite ongoing speculation over a potential crack at the England job. Howe is the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Gareth Southgate as Three Lions boss following his fine 12 months on Tyneside.
Howe is seen by many as the best English choice to take the job on next as Southgate faces questions over his long-term future after recent results on the international stage and the upcoming pressure of the World Cup. However, with his team third in the Premier League and on course for a historic season, the Newcastle boss has been quick to once again express his happiness at St James' Park.
“I’m absolutely proud on honoured to be here managing this unbelievable football club,” said Howe following the 1-0 win over Chelsea. “My only focus is on Newcastle.
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“Now, my focus is probably to have a couple of days with my family, and then reset on our training and all the processes that I need to make sure that we hit the ground running in the second half of the season.”
Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope will all represent Newcastle on the big stage later this month after earning call-ups to Qatar. However, Dan Burn has expressed his sadness at missing out on Southgate's 26-man squad.
“Listen, I was disappointed not to make the squad, not because I thought that I would play, but more because I’m 30-years-old now so I’ll be 34 at the next World Cup and it feels like the one thing that has got away from me,” Burn told the Athletic.
“I’d back myself to do it. I’ve said before I feel like I’m a leader in this team and I could bring that to the England team. I can cover lots of different positions and I don’t think there are as many left-sided defenders playing as well as I am this season.”
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