Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has clarified that he was not in contact with the Football Association (FA) before the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as the new England head coach. Speculation had linked Howe, one of only three English managers in the Premier League, with the coveted position following Gareth Southgate’s resignation after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat in July.
Addressing the rumors during a press conference on Friday, Howe stated, “I was not. There was no contact from the FA.” He emphasized that he respects the FA’s process and decisions, choosing not to delve into their internal workings.
“England have to do what is right for them and only they will know the processes they have gone through and the decisions they have made. I am certainly not the type of person that is going to analyse that,” Howe said.
Instead, Howe reaffirmed his commitment to Newcastle and his unwavering focus on securing victories for his team. “For me, it’s about Newcastle and trying to win games and it’s hard enough to do that if you are 100% focused, and I will always remain that way to my work. If you drop your levels, then the job becomes impossible and at no stage have I allowed myself to do that.”
Despite not being chosen, Howe expressed his support for Tuchel, highlighting their positive working relationship. “I was lucky enough to go and see him work at Chelsea when I was out of work. What a brilliant guy. What a great person. What a great coach. I had two days with him and thought he was fascinating, and I wish him well,” Howe shared.
He added, “I think he’s a great appointment and I hope he leads England to many trophies.” However, he admitted his preference for an English manager, stating, “My preference would have been for an English coach but if you are going to go foreign then go for the best and Thomas is certainly that.”
Howe’s comments shed light on his perspective on the England managerial situation and highlight his dedication to his current role at Newcastle. While he may have been a contender for the position, he remains focused on achieving success with his team, wishing Tuchel well in his new role.