Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe, has confirmed that he was not approached by the Football Association regarding the vacant England job. The announcement of Thomas Tuchel as Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor on Wednesday raised eyebrows as he became only the men’s team’s third foreign coach. This decision was met with criticism from those who believe an Englishman should be in charge, with former England full-back Gary Neville describing it as a “big blow” for English coaching.
Despite having an impressive coaching record, Howe stated on Friday that there had been no contact from the FA regarding the England job. Reports surfaced on Friday morning suggesting that the FA was put off from pursuing Howe due to a reported £6million compensation payment that would have been owed to Newcastle. The FA chose not to comment on these reports, although chief executive Mark Bullingham had previously confirmed that around 10 candidates were interviewed, including some English options.
Howe acknowledged that the speculation surrounding his future had been a distraction for some, but not for him personally. He did not rule out the possibility of coaching England in the future, stating, “You can see it’s unsettling at times when certain things are said and written about. The more that everyone can focus on Newcastle – which has always been my only concern – the better. I’d never say that managing England isn’t something I’d like to do maybe one day if given the opportunity, but my focus is Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who was reportedly approached by the FA earlier in the week, refrained from commenting on his involvement in the process. Guardiola highlighted the importance of current responsibilities, stating, “Thomas Tuchel is the manager. I’m the manager of Man City. This is the most important.” Regarding the issue of Tuchel’s nationality, Guardiola emphasised the significance of being open-minded and learning from various experiences.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca revealed that there had been communications from Tuchel to one of his analysts, James Melbourne. Maresca also mentioned hearing about potential interest in goalkeeping coach Hilario, although no official approach had been made. Other Premier League managers weighed in on the FA’s decision to appoint Tuchel, with mixed opinions on the choice of a foreign manager over an English candidate.
Overall, the debate surrounding the selection of England’s next manager continues to spark conversation within the football community. As the football world awaits Tuchel’s tenure, the focus remains on the future of English football management and the opportunities it presents for both foreign and domestic coaches.