Newcastle United fans will be delighted that Eddie Howe is no longer being linked with the England job.
That is because the FA have announced Gareth Southgate’s successor, with Thomas Tuchel unveiled as the new England manager.
His appointment has been questioned, with Gary Neville stating that a foreign manager is damaging for English coaches.
One of those English coaches linked with the job was Eddie Howe. He initially looked like the frontrunner for the role.
However, Howe has confirmed that the FA did not approach him, which has come as a major surprise.
Paul Scholes compares Eddie Howe to Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel’s appointment has sparked debate over the state of English coaching, and that debate continued on the latest episode of the Stick To Football podcast.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes was asked by Gary Neville about the FA’s decision, with Eddie Howe used as an example by the Salford City shareholder.
Neville asked: “You don’t think Eddie Howe or Graham Potter would be able to do that job?”
“I think they’d be able to do it, but I they wouldn’t have the credentials,” he said.
“They wouldn’t have the presence of Thomas Tuchel.
“England are good until they play against a good team. Thomas Tuchel has proven [he can beat good teams] at Chelsea when he beat Manchester City [in the Champions League final].”
Newcastle release clause stopped Eddie Howe becoming England manager
Scholes makes a fair point. While Newcastle fans have seen Howe win major games, such as the 4-1 triumph over PSG, he has not done it consistently on the grandest stage.
But the main reason for Howe being snubbed was his release clause. It would have cost the FA more than £5million to take Howe from Newcastle, which they were not prepared to do.
Fortunately for the Magpies, Howe wanted to remain as Newcastle United manager, and that is exactly what he will do.
Despite not getting the England job, Howe is still the best English manager around today, and Newcastle United are lucky to have him.
The clamour for Howe to be England manager is proof that he is right for Newcastle. The Magpies have got a top level coach, and someone who is here to compete with the best.
England’s loss is Newcastle’s gain.
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