Newcastle United are confident that Eddie Howe will not be swayed by the prospect of managing England - if Gareth Southgate leaves his post and the FA come calling.
Southgate says he will review his future after England's World Cup exit but he is contracted for another tournament until 2024, after the next European Championships in Germany. Meanwhile, Howe does not have an England release clause in his contract after signing an enhanced deal on the eve of the 2022/23 season.
Sporting director Dan Ashworth stated on On October 14 that Newcastle had done everything possible to "protect the club" when it comes to Howe and England. Howe has been on the England shortlist before but has also played down a switch to the Three Lions dugout.
Speaking about the England job in September, Howe said: "Gareth has done an incredible job - I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I never say never. 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. I have always said I love the day-to-day coaching, love being with the players on the training ground.
"International football, you get that taken away for long periods. At this moment in my life that is not something I want to do."
Again speaking October, Ashworth was asked directly over any exit clauses when it came to the England job. He said then: "No. We have done everything we can from a contractual point of view that you'd do for a manager coaching staff to protect the club as much as we can. Things are in a good place and I would sincerely hope and be confident he'd stay."
Southgate, speaking after the 2-1 loss to France in the World Cup quarter-final, said of his own future: "I want to make the right decision, whenever that is, for the team, for England, for the FA, and I’ve got to be sure whatever the decision I take is the right one.
"I think it’s right to take a bit of time to do that because I know in the past how my feelings have fluctuated in the immediate aftermath of tournaments."
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