Former AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe not approached by England

By Alex Rathbone & Ailani Verrall

Former AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has revealed he was not approached by the Football Association over the England vacancy.

Howe, now in charge of Newcastle United, was not included on the 10-man shortlist of candidates spoken to during the Three Lions’ search for a new head coach.

Thomas Tuchel was officially unveiled as Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor on Monday after impressing FA figures during his interview.

Pep Guardiola was believed to be England’s top target but Howe, one of only three English managers in the Premier League, was not invited for a formal discussion.

Asked if he was interviewed for the role, Howe said: “I was not. There was no contact from the FA.

“England have to do what is right for them and only they will know the processes they have gone through and the decisions they have made. I am certainly not the type of person that is going to analyse that.

“For me, it’s about Newcastle and trying to win games and it’s hard enough to do that if you are 100% focused, and I will always remain that way to my work.

“If you drop your levels, then the job becomes impossible and at no stage have I allowed myself to do that.”

Howe memorably led Bournemouth from League Two to the top-flight for the first time in the club’s history but departed by mutual consent after their relegation in 2020.