HOWE WON'T ANALYSE FA SNUB

Strongest English candidate reveals he was not interviewed for Three Lions job

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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe said on Oct 18 he was not contacted by the Football Association (FA) during the search for the England manager, which ended with the appointment of Thomas Tuchel.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who was widely reported to have been sounded out for the post, was less upfront.

Asked if he had conversations about the England job on Oct 18, he said bluntly: “Thomas Tuchel is the manager. So forget about it. I am the manager of Man City. The conversations I have is with Man City.”

The FA announced on Oct 16 that the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach would be the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate, taking up his post from January.

FA chief executive officer Mark Bullingham said the governing body had “interviewed approximately 10 people” including some English candidates, before opting for the German.

Howe, one of only a handful of English managers in the English Premier League, was arguably the strongest home-grown candidate. But when asked at his pre-match press conference whether he had been interviewed for the position, he said: “No, I wasn't.”

Howe, whose team host Brighton & Hove Albion on Oct 19, said there had been no contact from the FA.