Newcastle’s Eddie Howe may soon face a tough choice if the Football Association seeks his services following Gareth Southgate’s potential departure. After England’s Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, Southgate’s future is uncertain, and Howe is a prime candidate for the national team role.

Currently, Howe’s contract includes a reduced buyout clause, down to £5 million from the previous £8 million, due to Newcastle’s exit from the Champions League. Despite this, there has been no contact from the FA, and Howe remains focused on Newcastle, preparing for the upcoming Premier League season. He’s currently with the squad in Germany and will soon head to Japan for further training.

Ardfern, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Howe is not actively seeking to leave Newcastle, where he has found both professional and personal fulfillment. His family has settled well in Newcastle, and he enjoys his daily coaching duties, which an international role might not offer. Still, his ambition to manage the England team someday could influence his decision if an offer arises.

The summer has already been eventful for Newcastle, with financial adjustments and key personnel changes, including the arrival of sporting director Paul Mitchell. These developments might impact Howe’s perspective on his current role. While he values his position at Newcastle, the possibility of managing England presents a significant career milestone, making any potential decision a challenging one.