Former Newcastle United striker Mark Viduka has tipped Eddie Howe for the England job should Gareth Southgate leave after the European Championship this summer.
Since being appointed as England boss in 2016, Southgate has guided England to the semi-finals and quarter-finals of the World Cup and the final of Euro 2020. However, there are suggestions this could be his last tournament, depending on how the Three Lions perform.
England’s Euro 2024 campaign gets underway on June 16 against Serbia before facing Denmark and Slovenia as they look to progress from Group C. Although Howe will be watching with a keen eye – like every England fan – the bulk of his focus will be on planning for next season.
But should Southgate decide to leave his position, Viduka, who made his name in the Premier League at Leeds United and Middlesbrough, expects Howe to get a call from the FA Cup. He said: “Yes, I think he should be a candidate for the England job (when Southgate leaves). He’s done really well with Newcastle
“In the past, a coach might say ‘This is my starting 11, just go out and play.’ Things were worked on but not in the detail they should have been. You need to work on what’s needed both individually and collectively, every scenario that might play out in a game and even things like where you need to stand.
“It’s Eddie Howe has worked a lot on these things and the minor detail. That then creates a platform for players to be comfortable as they are aware of everything that’s required from them during every second of a game. This then enables players to build confidence.
Howe has been one of the top performing English managers since taking at Newcastle in November 2021. In his first season, the 46-year-old kept the club in the Premier League before 12 months later securing Champions League qualification.
And even with the unprecedented amount of injuries this season, Howe has still managed a 7th place finish, which will seal a spot in the Europa Conference League if Manchester United lose to Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Asked previously about England, Howe said in 2022: “I never say never, never say no, it won’t be something I am interested in. But in the short term it is not on my radar at all. It is all Newcastle and trying to make this team better.
“I have always said I love the day to day coaching, love being with the players on the training ground, international football you get that taken away for long periods. At this moment in my life that is not something I want to do.”
