Paul Mitchell's 'not scared' verdict as Eddie Howe question threatens to return at Newcastle


Lee Carsley's England blowout promises to revive the same question that plagued Newcastle United's summer as the FA look for a manager who can lead the England national side on a full-time basis.

Eddie Howe, who was among the favourites to replace Gareth Southgate in the summer, is once again in the England conversation following the Three Lions' 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley Stadium this week, with interim chief Carsley all but admitting he won't be taking the senior job on a permanent basis.

Howe is therefore back on the radar of the decision makers at St. Georges Park, despite pledging his loyalty to Newcastle in recent months. Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is the current favourite but the Magpies' chief ranks highly among the bookmakers' odds.

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Howe will no doubt be asked about the the prospects of an England switch next week but Newcastle's sporting director Paul Mitchell has already been quizzed on the topic during a lengthy sit down with reporters back in September. Back then, the recent St James' Park arrival stood firm by admitting he will lose no sleep over other clubs trying to poach talent from Tyneside.

"I've never been scared of interest in any of our staff members, especially our head coach, and especially from a level of organisation that the FA is," Mitchell said last month.

"We want Eddie Howe as our head coach for as long as we can. But we recognise that we are on a journey, and we recognise his quality and his potential as well. I think it's recognition of the two-and-a-half years he's had here, and the job he did at Bournemouth."

Should the FA come calling, Howe is expected to rebuff any offers that may come his way. Despite previously admitting managing the national side would be an honour, the Newcastle boss has also moved to previously play down talk of it being a forgone conclusion should that particular offer arise in the future.