On July 16th, following the departure of Gareth Southgate as England’s manager, rumors emerged about Newcastle’s head coach Eddie Howe potentially taking over. In an interview, Newcastle’s CEO, Irlse, stated that if the Football Association (FA) attempts to make Eddie Howe the successor to Southgate, Newcastle United will endeavor to retain him as their head coach.
Irlse said, “For us, he is the perfect fit for Newcastle, which is why we decided to enter into a long-term contract with him, we love him.”
When asked whether the club would be powerless to prevent his departure should the FA make a move, Irlse responded that Eddie Howe’s contract extension signed in 2023 did not include a release clause, and this agreement has yet to be made public.
“Again, it’s hypothetical, he signed a multi-year deal, so from that perspective, we won’t dismiss him for all the reasons I’ve mentioned.”