Newcastle United fans are paying particularly close attention to the England job situation.
The Three Lions are still without a permanent manager, after Gareth Southgate stepped down in the aftermath of losing the Euro 2024 final.
Immediately after Southgate left, rumours began to swirl that Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was a contender to replace him.
Eddie Howe has been linked with the England job, as the FA ponder who should lead what could be a golden generation of players.
Jamie Carragher wants Howe to get the England job, while the rumoured interest has come at a time when there has been tension behind the scenes at Newcastle. Amid the situation with Paul Mitchell, Gary Neville has urged Howe to become England manager.
But it does not look like he is the frontrunner. That honour belongs to Lee Carsley, who is currently in charge on an interim basis. Importantly, the FA have not contacted Howe or Newcastle about appointing the 46-year-old.
Simon Jordan makes Lee Carsley claim amid Eddie Howe interest
It feels more and more likely that it will be Carsley who gets the England job. In fact, TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan has stated that he thinks the former Everton midfielder has got the job ‘in the bag’ and that he will need to do something ‘remarkable’ not to get it.
“It’s going to have to be a remarkable achievement for him not to get it,” he said.
“He’s going to really have to go after Gareth Southgate’s record of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. He’s going to have to really supersede that.
“He’s got it [the job]. It’s in the bag.
“All I want from him is to build a team and let the best players be able to express themselves in that team. Don’t worry about trying to get Foden and Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham into the midfield like you tried to get Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard into the team.
“If they’re worthy of being in the side and the side is better for having them in there, put them in. If they’re not, make bold decision. Play brace, front-foot football.”
Newcastle United fans will hope Jordan is right
Newcastle United fans will be desperate for the outspoken Simon Jordan to be correct in this instance.
The England situation continues to linger in the background, and there will always be a fear that the FA could decide that Howe is the manager they want. And if they did approach him, it would be difficult for Howe to say no.
But that question might not be put to him, with Carsley the leading candidate to replace Southgate. He could get the job on a permanent basis, as he prepares for the next stage of his audition.
Two Newcastle players in current England squad
Carsley is set to lead England into two more Nations League games during the current international break, with the Three Lions facing Greece and Finland.
Two Newcastle United players are in the squad, with Anthony Gordon and Nick Pope called up. However, there was no place in the group for Tino Livramento.
Gordon turned up to the England camp with a bin bag yet again, and the 23-year-old will hope that his performances for his country are anything but rubbish. If he performs well and England win, it will only strengthen Carsley’s claim.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
