"The England job is the ultimate" - PL boss previously admitted he would never turn down Three Lions amid links to replace Gareth Southgate

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe once admitted that he would never say no if England came calling, and that may soon be the case following Gareth Southgate's departure. The Three Lions job is available, and the Magpies boss finds himself one of the favorites to succeed Southgate.

Howe spoke in 2016 during his days in charge of Bournemouth and about the prospect of coaching the national team one day. He gave a telling response:

"The England job is the ultimate, I would never say no."

Howe has earned major plaudits while in charge of Newcastle having guided them out of a relegation battle in 2021. The Tyneside giants were at risk of slipping to the second tier as they sat 19th, but the English tactician guided them up the table.

The 46-year-old built upon a 12th-placed finish the following season by delivering UEFA Champions League football. His Magpies finished fourth in the league, earning a place in Europe's elite club competition last season.

England is looking for a new manager after Gareth Southgate's decision to step down. His decision came after the Three Lions suffered a 2-1 loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

Howe signed a new multi-year contract with Newcastle in 2022, but its expiry is undisclosed. English football correspondent Ben Jacobs reports that the Magpies want to keep their manager but won't stand in his way if he wants to leave.

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"Front-runner by a distance" - Jamie Carragher urges England to replace Gareth Southgate with Eddie Howe

Liverpool and England legend Jamie Carragher has firmly backed Howe to replace Gareth Southgate. The Sky Sports pundit feels the Newcastle manager has the pedigree and resume befitting that of the next Three Lions boss (via The Telegraph):

"It has got to be Eddie Howe. For me, he is the front-runner by a distance... None of the other leading contenders comes so close to being the right fit. Howe has the pedigree as a club manager. He did fantastically well at Bournemouth and has done a great job at St James’ Park."

Gareth Southgate was criticized during his reign, particularly at Euro 2024, for England lacked a playing identity. Howe has been praised for implementing an exciting brand of football at St James' Park, which Carragher alluded to:

"His sides play front-foot, attacking football. Like Southgate, he would be a safe pair of hands dealing with the media - a great ambassador for the country. Young players will respond to Howe as he has proved a good man-manager."

Howe isn't the only candidate in the running to succeed Southgate. Former Chelsea managers Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Thomas Tuchel are also linked with the role.