Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe does not appear to be Roy Keane’s first choice for the England job.
Eddie Howe continues to be linked with replacing Gareth Southgate, as the FA ponder who to give the England job to on a permanent basis.
Lee Carsley is currently the interim England manager, and bounced back from a defeat to Greece with a 3-1 victory over Finland. He did it without any Newcastle United players, with Anthony Gordon, Nick Pope and Tino Livramento all unused substitutes.
It remains to be seen what the FA will do next. There has been a sense that Lee Carsley will get the England job, but his recent comments suggest that maybe he is not fully behind the idea of taking on the role full time.
Roy Keane names who he would appoint as England manager instead of Eddie Howe
If Carsley does decide that he does not want to be England manager then there will be even more speculation surrounding Eddie Howe.
The Newcastle United manager has been linked ever since the role became available, although it was recently reported that Howe is not interested in the England job.
Other names have been linked, such as Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter. They are both currently out of work and would be easier appointments than Howe.
But Roy Keane has told ITV Sport that the FA need to go out there and get the best, and has even suggested that Pep Guardiola should be the top target.
“The most important thing is they get the right man,” he said.
“The names you’ve mentioned there, I’m sure they’ve all got a chance. But the FA have to go for the best guy. I don’t know if finance will play a part in it.
“If Lee rules himself out and he’s not interested, that seems to be the noises coming out, then the FA need to get busy and get the right man.”
Keane added: “Go after Pep. Go for the best. Pep’s contract is coming up this summer.”
Pep Guardiola getting the England job would benefit Newcastle United
It would be extremely ambitious if the FA made a move to appoint Pep Guardiola as the next England manager.
It is an appointment that would be celebrated by pretty much every England fan – except for those of a Manchester City persuasion.
Guardiola is a wildly ambitious target, but it is not the craziest suggestion. After all, his contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in the summer of 2025.
And if Guardiola was to get the England job, it would prove to be doubly beneficial for Newcastle United.
First of all, it would mean that Eddie Howe remains at St James’ Park. That is what every Toon fan wants, while recent reports state that Howe wants to stay on Tyneside. Of course, that could change if the FA made a formal offer.
Secondly, Guardiola getting the England job would mean him leaving Manchester City, which could potentially bring an end to their period of dominance. That would aid Newcastle United, whose owners have ambitions of the Magpies challenging the likes of Man City in the coming years.
Right now, Newcastle are nowhere near Man City’s level. However, Guardiola leaving could help the Magpies close the gap.
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