'England is not important' - Eddie Howe confirms commitment to Newcastle as Magpies boss breaks silence on Gareth Southgate replacement rumours

Howe responded to the England manager rumours during an interview with Sky Sports while on Newcastle's pre-season camp in Germany. But he made clear that achieving success with the Magpies is his only priority and anything else - including England - is "not important".

Howe has been one of the early names linked with the England job alongside ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter. He has been tipped as a future England manager ever since his time at Bournemouth. The FA have now posted a public job advert, listing the seven key criteria they want candidates to meet.

"It's been a strange one for me because I've been absolutely cut off from [the rumours]," Howe told Sky Sports News. "Fortunately I'm out here [in Germany]. So it's only through a mobile phone or someone telling me something that you hear about it.

"My commitment to Newcastle is unwavering and it has been since I came to the football club. As long as I have certain things for me - as in I'm happy, I'm allowed to work in the way I need to work in order to get the best out of me and I feel supported - then that will never change.

"England is not important at all. It's all about Newcastle United Football Club. I'm so proud to be the manager. I've loved every single second of managing the club since I've been here, I feel passionately about bringing success here long-term."

Newcastle will soon return from Germany in order to face Hull City in a pre-season game on July 27. Things then quickly kick into gear with a two-match tour of Japan, followed by back-to-back St James' Park friendlies against Girona and Brest at the 'Sela Cup' a week before the Premier League starts.