EXCLUSIVEEddie Howe would have a 'decision to make' if Gareth Southgate goes and FA make approach, with Newcastle boss loving life on Tyneside but ambitious to manage England one day

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Eddie Howe would have a ‘decision to make’ if England were given permission to speak to him by Newcastle.

The 46-year-old is likely to be the Football Association’s top choice should Gareth Southgate leave in the wake of Sunday’s defeat by Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

We can reveal that Howe’s contract had a buyout clause in the region of £8million last season. However, because the team are no longer in the Champions League, that has been reduced. It is said to be at least £5m.

Newcastle are braced for an approach from the FA, if Southgate goes, but Howe is said to be relaxed about the situation. There has been no contact with the FA.

Howe’s concentration is on Newcastle and preparing for the new Premier League season. He is currently with the squad at a training camp in Germany and flies to Japan for another tour later this month.

Eddie Howe's buyout clause at Newcastle has reduced and the manager is said to be 'relaxed'

On the heels of defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, Gareth Southgate's role is uncertain

He is unlikely to outright dismiss the notion of managing England when he is undoubtedly asked this summer, but nor is he pushing to leave a club which he is fiercely proud to manage.

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Howe’s passion is being on the grass and coaching on a day-to-day basis, something international management would deny him. His wife and three sons have relocated to Newcastle from the South Coast and the family are happy and settled on Tyneside. He has forged an incredibly strong bond with supporters and the city, and is focussed on continuing the fine job he has started at St James’ Park.

However, should an FA approach materialise, we understand it would leave him with a decision to make, given his ambition to one day manage his country. It could be that Howe believes the timing is not right.

But after a turbulent start to the summer at Newcastle, with a mad dash to meet PSR requirements and the sudden departures of allies Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, as well as the arrival of sporting director Paul Mitchell - a club appointment - it is not known what impact this has had on the head coach.