Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has indicated that he would give little consideration to replacing Gareth Southgate as England manager if the opportunity arose at the end of the year.
On the back of six matches without a win, Southgate is under the most pressure since before he delivered a World Cup semi-final and European Championship final.
There is no prospect of the 52-year-old being removed from his position before the World Cup, which gets underway in Qatar in November.
However, that has not prevented speculation from emerging about his long-term position given the level of candidates currently on the market.
Although he only recently penned a new long-term contract at St James' Park, Howe is another name to be linked with a future role with the Three Lions.
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Nevertheless, speaking to reporters at a press conference on Friday, Howe ruled out any possibility of leaving the Magpies voluntarily in three months time.
As quoted by The Mirror, Howe said: "Gareth has done an incredible job and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I have been lucky enough to go in and see him work and I have a lot of time for him and Steve Holland. They have been amazing for England. You have to remember where England were before he took over and what he has done for the country.
"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."
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While Howe has been regarded as one of the most highly-rated English managers for some time, his stock has risen since moving to St James' Park.
Helped by the funds made available by the club's new owners since the turn of the year, Howe has transformed Newcastle from a club battling to survive in the Premier League to one that now has ambitions to qualify for Europe.
In total, Howe has recorded 15 wins, 10 draws and 11 defeats from his 36 matches in charge, although his side are currently on a six-match winless streak in the top flight.
Newcastle will be bidding to strengthen their hold of a place in the top half of the standings when they face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.
Darren Plant
