The growing talk Newcastle United can't let derail a vital pre-season campaign

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Newcastle United are set for a frantic close to the transfer window later this summer

The guessing game was already well underway by the time Gareth Southgate brought down the curtain on an England reign that divided opinion across the country.

One one hand, there are some that believe the former Middlesbrough has reinvigorated the fortunes of the Three Lions after taking over a side still reeling from their Euro 2016 humiliation at the hands of Iceland and the end of Sam Allardyce’s short-lived reign. However, there are others that remain firm in their stance Southgate has failed to make the most of a highly talented squad, despite reaching the final of two European Championships and the semi-final of a World Cup during his eight-year spell in charge.

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No matter what you think of Southgate’s reign, he has left the England team in a better state than how he found it and his successor, no matter who it may be, will have some solid foundations to build upon as he seeks to bring an end to a painfully long wait for a major tournament win. So who could take charge? Graham Potter, Lee Carsley, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino have all been touted as possible successors - but it is Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe that is currently the bookies favourite and there could be a feeling the timing is right for the former Bournemouth boss.

Some may think the departure of Amanda Staveley, Dan Ashworth and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, three of his leading supporters within the St James Park hierarchy, will have weakened Howe’s standing at the club - but recent comments by chief executive Darren Eales and recently appointed sporting director Paul Mitchell may have emboldened the United boss as he approaches his third full season in charge on Tyneside.

Speaking earlier this week in the wake of Southgate’s decision to step down, Eales said: "Eddie has done a brilliant job for us. To go from 19th to 11th in the Premier League at the end of that season, and then to kick on into a Champions League spot the following season is phenomenal. In terms of man-management, on the grass, Eddie is very hands-on. He’s a great developer of players. He gets the psyche of the club and Newcastle and the fans. For us, he is exactly the right man for the project we are on at Newcastle United and that is why we’re committed to a long-term deal with him. "That’s why we think he’s the right man for Newcastle. We love him. We know in Eddie we have a great coach who can lead us on to great things.”

Those comments were backed up by Mitchell, who was named in a key role at St James Park after reportedly snubbing interest from several other clubs. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Monaco sporting director spoke positively about Howe in an interview with the club’s official website and described their partnership as ‘a natural collaboration”.

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He said: “I think it’s fair to say Eddie did his apprenticeship on the south coast. I did mine in Milton Keynes but my university finishing school in Southampton. Eddie was building what was a great job in Bournemouth while I was helping Southampton. We know each other. We were raised in football through the south coast. We have a tremendous amount of respect and I see Eddie and I see our ways of working being a natural collaboration. He is one of the motivations to come here. It’s (our relationship) going to be tremendously successful. You see Eddie’s qualities: impressive on the grass, his player development and CV.”

The PIF-led ownership at St James Park are also believed to be keen supporters of the Bournemouth manager and have been enthused by the on-field improvement he has created throughout his reign on Tyneside. However, there will also be a fierce determination to move on from what many will see as an underwhelming season last time out as the Magpies missed out on claiming European qualification for a second successive year. There are caveats to be placed on their performances after injuries robbed Howe of the services of several key players throughout the season and a lengthy suspension handed to key summer signing Sandro Tonali after he breached gambling regulations in Italy hardly aided Howe’s cause as he prepared his side for a first Champions League campaign in two decades.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images

Without the distraction of European football and with their initial battle with profit and sustainability regulations now behind them, there is a clear focus on enjoying a more successful season and there are suggestions two or three big money moves could be made before the summer transfer window comes to a close next month. First and foremost, there is a need for clarity on Howe’s future from his own point of view and although the Magpies boss has suggested he would like a crack at the England job at some point in his career, it does feel this could well be a case of right person, right job, wrong time.

Howe did offer some reassurances over his own future in an interview with BBC Newcastle on Friday afternoon, saying: “I think it’s difficult here (at a training camp in Germany) because you’re isolated from the world, apart from a mobile phone. I had no idea Gareth had left his position and I had no idea until I’d just seen a lot of reporters in there about what was happening. For me, as long as I am happy and feel supported and feel free to do the work I love to do at Newcastle, I’ll be very happy. I am very happy, it’s an unbelievable football club. I am very, very proud to be the manager, I love the supporters, I love the players, I love the staff, so (there is) no thought of anything else has been in my mind all summer. I’ve been very committed to the job here.”

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On face value, that is something of a commitment to the Magpies, but there is also a not-so-veiled warning the working conditions must remain right if Howe is to continue carrying the club forwards. Newcastle needed some clarity as soon as possible as they look to challenge for major honours on a regular basis over the coming year and the speculation can not be allowed to impact on their own plans throughout what is already a potentially pivotal summer.

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