Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has affirmed his commitment to the club, stating he will remain as long as he is “happy and feels supported.”
This comes amid speculation linking him to the England manager position following Gareth Southgate’s resignation on Tuesday after England’s 2-1 defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Although Howe has emerged as a top contender for the role, Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales has expressed the club’s determination to retain him.
“It is an unbelievable football club. I’m very, very proud to be the manager,” said Howe, who was speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle from the Magpies’ training camp in Germany.
“I love the supporters, I love the players, I love the staff. So really, there has been no thought in my mind on anything else and I have been very committed to the job here.
“For me, as long as I am happy and feel supported and feel free to do the work that I love to do at Newcastle, I’ll be very happy – and I am very happy.”
Howe was appointed Newcastle manager in November 2021, shortly after the Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of the club, and successfully steered them away from relegation that season.
He then led Newcastle to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League during the 2022-23 campaign, securing Champions League qualification for the Magpies.
Last summer, Howe signed a “multi-year” contract extension, as described by Eales, before Newcastle finished seventh in the Premier League.
Their first game of the 2024-25 season is at home against Southampton on August 17.
Asked if he expects to start the season as Newcastle manager amid links with England, Howe said: “Of course that is my expectation because I am the manager of Newcastle and I am very proud to be.
“But as I said, it is all about the environment I am working in. As long as that is one where I feel I can give my best, then absolutely, we will crack on and I am looking forward to next season.”
England are next in action against the Republic of Ireland on 7 September in the Nations League.
An interim manager will be in charge if the Football Association (FA) is still to appoint Southgate’s successor at that point.
“I’m absolutely honoured and privileged to be manager of Newcastle United. I hope that is for many, many years,” Howe added.
“My commitment is unwavering. I am determined to win a trophy for the football club – that is in my psyche every day. I want to see joy in the supporters. I want to bring that to them, hopefully.”
‘Sad to lose Anderson and Minteh’
Newcastle were compelled to generate funds late into June to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
On June 30, the final day for clubs to buy or sell players to ensure they fall into accounts for the 2023-24 season, Newcastle sold midfielder Elliot Anderson, 21, to Nottingham Forest, and winger Yakuba Minteh, 19, to Brighton to generate funds.
Minteh’s departure brought in £30m for the Magpies, while Anderson’s sale was for a reported £35m.
On the same day, Newcastle signed goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos from Forest.
Howe mentioned that although the sales were necessary for the club, he did not want to lose either player.
“PSR was tight. It was very late, a lot of the things that happened, but it’s a great outcome,” Howe explained. “A great outcome but very sad to lose Yankuba and Elliot, two outstanding young players.
“I would’ve loved to have kept them – I think they are two outstanding young players and really disappointed to lose them both.
“But, I think we were backed into a corner. We were in a very difficult position. I think it was as good an outcome as we could have hoped for, but we were sad.”
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