Newcastle chiefs summon Eddie Howe for talks after England job comments

Eddie Howe has held productive talks with Newcastle bosses after expressing concerns over the changes at St James’ Park amid interest from England as they eye a new manager

Newcastle have held talks with Eddie Howe in an attempt to clear the air over his future at the club amid potential interest from England.

The Magpies boss has been installed as the early favourite to take over from Gareth Southgate with his stock rising as a result of his work at St James’ Park. Howe suggested that he would be happy to remain provided the new management structure and he saw eye-to-eye.

Newcastle have seen Amanda Staveley leave her role and sporting director Dan Ashworth depart to join Manchester United. Paul Mitchell has come in as his replacement but Howe’s comments surrounding the new structure were alarming to some senior figures, reports the Telegraph.

As a result they’ve looked to sit down with the ex-Bournemouth boss, who has previously led them to the Champions League, to ensure that they remain aligned after being somewhat surprised by his public comments. He has been offered reassurances that he will continue to hold significant power and his say in recruitment would not be reduced.

He said: “I absolutely want to stay but it has to be right for me and the football club. There’s absolutely no point in me saying I’m happy staying at Newcastle if the dynamic isn’t right. I’m certainly not serving Newcastle well if I do that.

“It’s been a difficult summer in various aspects, no one more important than the other, but as a new team coming together (off the pitch) we have to set our boundaries. We have to see if we can work together in a really fluid, dynamic way to the benefit of Newcastle.”

When if he would still be in the Newcastle dugout at the start of the season Howe replied: “As long as I’m happy in the position that I’m in. As long as I feel supported by the football club and free to work in the way that I want to work, yes. That is the crucial thing.”

Howe’s desire to remain at Newcastle may depend on the club’s ambition in the transfer market over the coming months. Both Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães have been linked with moves away, which would severely damage the quality of the playing group.