It is too strong to call Eddie Howe’s current situation at Newcastle as a Clash, but there’s a new dynamic at St James’ Park. Stay at Newcastle and keep building on two and a half years of progress? Or cash in on a burgeoning reputation and move into the England job?
There was encouragement for both sides of the argument when Howe broke his silence on being one of the favourites to succeed Gareth Southgate. Howe is perfect for the England job and should be No1 candidate. He offered a front-footed, tactical, aggressive contrast to Southgate’s caution.
But he also brings Southgate’s strengths of a modern dressing room culture, strong player relationships and diplomacy and accumen needed for the top job at the Football Association. He says he has not got “a burning desire” or a personally plotted career path that puts England on his agenda.
Howe has not closed the door on considering the England job. But neither has said that all is totally smooth going at Newcastle. Howe has leverage and strength because of the England link – and waved his power on Friday by telling Newcastle he needs to be kept “happy”.
He has the same ambition for his club. He told Mirror Sport: “When I came here we wanted to win a trophy. It is burning inside me and it is a target. Europe is a target after the last two years. I would love to experience more European nights here.”
However he needs to see how the new structure – that included Sporting Director Paul Mitchell and Performance Director James Bunce, minus ally Amanda Staveley – plays out. Howe refused to say specifically what would “keep him happy.”
But he will want new players signed who improve the first team, before September.He will want a say in who they are, as part of a “collaboration”. He’s also likely to resist interference in his ways of working, which are intense and thorough.
There’s also the unknown factor of what the Saudi owners, the PIF, are thinking. Will they want a relaunch with a so-called “bigger name”. Howe added: “I’m not sure if unsettled is the right word really. I haven’t been unsettled, I’ve been working and my wife will vouch for that.
“She will tell you, if you ever speak to her or bump into her somewhere, just how hard I have been working but with little product as in people wouldn’t openly see the work, but that’s what happens at various times. But the work never stops and I want to tell everybody how committed I am.”
For now Howe’s focus can’t be questioned. He is driving his squad behind the scenes with passion. And he is excited for a new season – if he is in charge. He said: I do think there is a range of emotions, not just for me but the players.
“There is always an excitement when you come back together because you haven’t seen each other for a long time. I absolutely love the players here so to see them and go back into that relationship and that journey with each other is amazing.
“I think the attitude so far in pre-season has been really good, there is a very good feel. Of course, we are missing some massive players who aren’t here so it feels a bit strange because you can feel there are big personalities not back.”
Striker Callum Wilson is seeing a specialist for a back problem, and is a doubt ahead of the new season.
