Eddie Howe 'committed' to Newcastle United despite links to England job

Magpies manager reported to be among main contenders to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager

Eddie Howe 7/10

NEWCASTLE 2023/24 SEASON RATINGS: A learning curve season for the manager, dealing with raised expectations, midweek Euro matches for the first time and a nightmare injury list. When the likes of TripShow more

Nick Pope 8/10

A huge loss when he dislocated his shoulder against Manchester United in December and did not return to the starting XI until the final game of the season. "He has single-handedly kept us in games thiShow more

Martin Dubravka 6/10

Slovakian proved solid enough cover for Pope but he lacked the commanding presence and 'sweeper-keeper' skills of the man he replaced. Remains a decent shot-stopper, though, and was the penalty shoot-Show more

Kieran Trippier 6/10

A frustrating season for the usually ultra-reliable right-back. An impressive 10 assists meant he was joint-third best in the Premier League behind only Cole Palmer (11) and Ollie Watkins (13). But thShow more

Paul Dummett 6/10

No more than a bit-part player, the Geordie defender produced two excellent performances in League Cup wins over Manchester City and Man United. Gave away a clumsy late penalty moments after coming ofShow more

Sven Botman 4/10

A campaign to forget for the Dutch centre-half after suffering two torn ACL injuries in six months. Did not play until December after opting for rest rather than surgery, looked a shell of the player Show more

Fabian Schar 8/10

Had been Newcastle's only ever-present defender in an injury-ravaged campaign for the squad until a hamstring problem saw him miss the final few games. Excellent at the back, though, and contributed aShow more

Jamaal Lascelles 6/10

Club captain was given an unexpected extended run in the team due to Botman's injury woes. Solid enough from the experienced centre-back but a lack of pace often exposed him. Did score a memorable heaShow more

Matt Targett 4/10

A season to be written off by the former Aston Villa left-back who made only one Premier League start due to injuries and just seven appearances across all competitions. Getty Images

Emil Krafth 7/10

Versatile Swedish defender made a welcome return from the previous season's ruptured cruciate ligament. Ability to cover in several defensive positions was much-needed in such aninjury disrupted seasoShow more

Lewis Hall 6/10

A baptism of fire for the teenage left-back. Looked physically out of his depth in the League Cup win over Man City, dropped out of the starting XI picture for a while as he struggled to cope with HowShow more

Tino Livramento 7/10

Has the potential to become Newcastle's - and England's - right-back for years to come. Offers a real attacking threat surging forward, as shown by one 30-yard run before setting up a goal for AlmironShow more

Dan Burn 7/10

A season of ups and downs for the Geordie defender. At left-back, his lack of pace was targeted by opponents with some success. Looked more comfortable in a central role. Scored in the unforgettable wShow more

Joelinton 8/10

Brazilian is an integral cog in the machine so his absence after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury was a huge blow. Driving force behind the 4-2 win over Brentford on the final day of the season - Show more

Sandro Tonali 3/10

Italian midfielder was Newcastle's marquee summer signing and started the season with a man-of-the-match display in the opening day 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa. But his world quickly fell apart when Show more

Anthony Gordon 9/10

A sensational first full season on Tyneside which has seen the winger score 12 goals, provide 10 assists and produced consistent performances that should be enough to earn a spot in Gareth Southgate'sShow more

Matt Ritchie 6/10

Has just completed his eighth season at the club but the 34-year-old is now restricted to late cameos off the bench. Scored in stoppage time with one of those appearances, though, to earn Newcastle a Show more

Harvey Barnes 7/10

Injury-hit first campaign for the summer signing who still contributed four goals in 21 appearances. Memorably scored after coming off the bench in his first game back after a long lay-off to earn hisShow more

Joe Willock 6/10

Another huge loss due to injury that resulted in the midfielder making just five league starts. The high point of his season came in the League Cup win at Manchester United with a superb solo run and Show more

Lewis Miley 7/10

The midfielder was an unlikely beneficiary of Newcastle's relentless injury list that resulted in the local boy making his debut aged 17. Would go on to make 26 appearances, provide his first assist aShow more

Elliot Anderson 6/10

Geordie midfielder, 21, missed a large part of the campaign due to a stress fracture in his lower back. Has the potential to become a key player but needs an injury-free season and regular game time. Show more

Sean Longstaff 7/10

Can frustrate with his final product as his passing and shooting can be wayward at times but his commitment to the cause can never be faulted. He is working hard on his finishing in training, accordinShow more

Bruno Guimaraes 8/10

Brazilian playmaker remains absolutely vital to the cause, making more appearances than anyone else in the squad (48), scoring six goals and providing 10 assists. Remains to be seen what happens over Show more

Miguel Almiron 7/10

There was no repeat of last season's scoring streak but the Paraguayan still chipped in with five goals and three assists, including quality finishes against Burnley in the league and Manchester UniteShow more

Alexander Isak 9/10

Magnificent campaign for the Swedish striker who became the first Newcastle player since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 to reach the 25-goal mark across all competitions. His 21 league goals left him behind Show more

Callum Wilson 8/10

A familiar story for the England striker - an impressive goals ratio of 10 goals in 25 appearances but a chunk of the season again lost to injuries. For the second time in four seasons, Wilson failed Show more

Eddie Howe has said that he expects to be in charge of Newcastle United when the new Premier League season starts next month, despite being linked as a possible replacement for Gareth Southgate to be the next England manager.

The Englishman has emerged as one of the main contenders to take over from Southgate who left the role after eight years following the Three Lions' Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain last Sunday.

It has already been a summer of change at Newcastle that has seen Paul Mitchell replace Manchester United-bound Dan Ashworth as sporting director, while Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has increased its stake in the Premier League club after the departures of minority shareholders Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi.

The Magpies have also been forced to sell midfielder Elliot Anderson, 21, and 19-year-old winger Yakuba Minteh – to Nottingham Forest and Brighton, respectively – for a reported £65 million in order to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

But, after Southgate's exit from the national team job, Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales insisted the club would fight to keep Howe should there be an approach from the English Football Association.

“He is exactly the right man for the project we are on at Newcastle United and that is why we are committed to a long-term deal with him,” Eales told media from Newcastle's pre-season training camp in Germany. “That's why we think he's the right man for Newcastle. We love him.”

And on Thursday, Howe himself said he would be going nowhere this summer, “as long as I am happy and feel supported” by the club. When asked if he expected to be in the dugout at St James' park for the opening game of the season against Southampton on August 17, the 46-year-old said: “Of course that is my expectation because I am the manager of Newcastle and I am very proud to be.

“But as I said, it is all about the environment I am working in. As long as that is one where I feel I can give my best, then absolutely, we will crack on and I am looking forward to next season.

“I’m absolutely honoured and privileged to be manager of Newcastle United. I hope that is for many, many years,” Howe added. “My commitment is unwavering. I am determined to win a trophy for the football club – that is in my psych every day. I want to see joy in the supporters. I want to bring that to them, hopefully.”

Howe was appointed as Newcastle manager in November 2021, one month after a Saudi Arabian-led takeover, guiding the club out of the relegation zone and up to mid-table safety in his first season.

The following campaign saw Newcastle finish fourth in the table, qualify for the Champions League for the first time in two decades and lose in the League Cup final to Manchester United.

Last season was a testing one for Howe as his squad was ravaged by injuries from start to finish as well as being stripped of big summer signing Sandro Tonali who was banned from football for 10 months after breaching betting rules while at former AC Milan.

The Magpies finished bottom of their Champions League group and ended the domestic campaign seventh, narrowly missing out on European football.

“It is an unbelievable football club. I’m very, very proud to be the manager,” added Howe, who was speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle from Germany. “I love the supporters, I love the players, I love the staff. So really, there has been no thought in my mind on anything else and I have been very committed to the job here.

“For me, as long as I am happy and feel supported and feel free to do the work that I love to do at Newcastle, I’ll be very happy – and I am very happy.”

England's search for a new manager is already under way with other names being linked including Graham Potter, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino – all of whom are currently without a job. Current England under-21 coach Lee Carsley is also sure to be a possible candidate after guiding the youngsters to the European Championship title last summer.

England's next match is against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on September 7 in the Uefa Nations League while their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign begins next March.

“We aim to have our new manager confirmed as soon as possible,” said FA chief executive Mark Bullingham on Tuesday. “Our Uefa Nations League campaign starts in September, and we have an interim solution in place if it is needed.”