Newcastle CEO responds to Eddie Howe being tipped as Gareth Southgate's England successor and reveals interesting contract detail

Following Southgate's resignation as England boss, Newcastle's Howe has been installed as one of the favourites to replace him. The former Bournemouth manager has long been admired by the Football Association but the Magpies see him as part of their "long-term future", according to Eales.

When asked if Newcastle could 'fight' to retain Howe amid the England links, Eales told The Athletic: “Yes, absolutely. I don’t want to speak on hypotheticals so let me just step back and go, going into a new season, for us as a club Eddie has done a brilliant job.

“I’ve had the blessing to be able to work with Eddie and see how day-to-day and in terms of that man-management, on the grass, he is very hands-on. He’s a great developer of players. He gets the psyche of the club and Newcastle and the fans. We’ve seen that with the way the team and the supporters have that affinity.

“For us, 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. That’s why we think he’s the right man for Newcastle. We love him.”

Southgate stepped down as Three Lions manager just two days after their Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. Despite guiding them to two Euros finals and a World Cup semi-final during his near eight-year tenure, the 53-year-old moves on and now the hunt for his successor is in full swing. And while Howe is a target, the report adds Newcastle believe they are protected by the absence of a set release clause in his multi-year contract - one that he signed in 2023.

For Howe, it seems he will be in the Newcastle dugout when the new Premier League season starts in August, while the search for a Southgate replacement intensifies.

Eales added: "He’s a top coach, he’s the right coach for Newcastle United at the right moment and this is the coach we want to lead the club for the future. Absolutely, [he will be here for the season opener against Southampton] yes."