Eddie Howe has warned Newcastle they have to keep him happy – if he is to reject any future approach from England.

The Newcastle United head coach has flexed his muscles after he was installed as a leading candidate to replace Gareth Southgate as Three Lions boss. Howe has yet to have a “formal approach” from the FA.

But the 46-year-old has had his overarching power clipped this summer with the appointment of a new sporting director and performance director, plus the departure of co-owner and his closest ally Amanda Staveley. Howe admits he is trying to build new relationships with his bosses in what he called a “difficult summer” of change – and left the door slightly ajar to be England boss one day.

Asked if he would still be Newcastle chief at the start of the season, Howe replied in his first public comments since May: “As long as I’m happy in the position that I’m in. As long as I feel supported by the football club and free to work in the way that I want to work, yes. That is the crucial thing.”

He insists he is fully focused on coaching Newcastle but asked to clarify his position he said in an unusually political interview: “I absolutely want to stay but it has to be right for me and the football club.

“There’s absolutely no point in me saying I’m happy staying at Newcastle if the dynamic isn’t right. I’m certainly not serving Newcastle well if I do that.

“It’s been a difficult summer in various aspects, no one more important than the other, but as a new team coming together (off the pitch) we have to set our boundaries. We have to see if we can work together in a really fluid, dynamic way to the benefit of Newcastle.”

Howe says he needs to feel the freedom to work as he chooses ( 
Image:
Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Asked if a manager can turn England down, Howe said: “It depends on your situation. For me, my key driver: my happiness and my ability to do my job.” The Geordies are in a period of transition and Howe is on the FA’s wish list along with Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Lee Carsley.

Howe faced questions at Newcastle’s pre-season training camp at Adidas Global HQ near Nuremberg on Friday afternoon. Asked if he still has final say on transfers, Howe replied: “These are things we are working on.”

He wants a few top quality new signings in this transfer window. He said: “Being very, very proud to be Newcastle manager, this is all about Newcastle. It’s not about England. So, as long as I am happy, feel supported, feel free to work in the way that I want to work, I have not thought of anything else other than Newcastle.

“I absolutely love the club. I love the supporters. I love where I am at in my career. There is no better place for me to be. That is how I feel.”