Paul Mitchell picks best choice to replace England-linked Eddie Howe

Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell has decided who should be the first to replace Eddie Howe if the current Magpies manager takes the England job.

Howe is currently the second favourite to replace Gareth Southgatewho stepped down as Three Lions manager after his team lost the 2024 European Championship final to Spain.

The former Bournemouth manager previously described England as his “dream job” and while Newcastle’s hierarchy want him to stay at St James’ Park, Mirror claim new sporting director Paul Mitchell is considering replacements.

And he has apparently selected Mauricio Pochettino – who led Chelsea back to Europe last season before being sacked – as his first choice.

Mitchell brought Pochettino to the Premier League as head of recruitment at Southampton and the two worked together again at Tottenham, where they enjoyed a ‘good working relationship’ throughout their collaboration.

The Argentine can ‘expect a phone call’ if Howe’s head is turned around by England, and the departures of Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi – seen as his two biggest allies in the boardroom – could even see Newcastle push him towards the exit door.

READ MORE: Who will be Newcastle’s next manager if Eddie Howe leaves for England?

As long as Howe provides assurances about his control within the club, he says he will remain involved with Newcastle.

Asked about England’s situation at the Magpies’ training camp in Germany, Howe said: “It was a strange experience for me, because I was totally disconnected from it.

“Luckily I’m here, so you only hear about it through a cell phone or someone telling me something.

“My commitment to Newcastle is unwavering and has been since I joined the football club. As long as I have certain things going for me – like being happy, being able to work the way I need to work to be the best I can be and feeling supported – then that will never change.

“So much has changed that we need a period of time to figure out how we’re all going to work and set the boundaries. It’s in Newcastle’s interest, not mine, because the club is the most important thing in all of this.

“England is not important at all. It’s all about Newcastle United Football Club. I’m so proud to be the manager. I’ve loved every second of managing the club since I’ve been here, I’m passionate about bringing success here in the long term.”