Jamie Carragher goes big on Eddie Howe

Jamie Carragher believes it's 'got to be Eddie Howe' when it comes to the next England manager, feeling the Newcastle United boss is the 'front-runner by a distance.'

After Gareth Southgate's resignation and widespread reports claiming Howe is the leading contender, Newcastle issued a hands-off message earlier this week as CEO Darren Eales insisted we'd do everything to keep him.

Carragher feels Howe is the perfect fit who ticks 'every box' and would be 'staggered' if the FA didn't approach Newcastle. However, he wonders whether the 46-year-old will consider this to be the right time in his career to swap Premier League management at St James' Park with an international role at St George's Park.

In a piece for The Telegraph, he said: 'There is one standout candidate to replace Gareth Southgate. It has got to be Eddie Howe. For me, he is the front-runner by a distance.

'The problem for the Football Association is whether Howe considers it the right time for his career to leave Newcastle United. He will have much to think about if the offer comes. I would be staggered if it does not. None of the other leading contenders comes so close to being the right fit.

'Howe has the pedigree as a club manager. He did fantastically well at Bournemouth and has done a great job at St James’ Park. His sides play front-foot, attacking football. Like Southgate, he would be a safe pair of hands dealing with the media – a great ambassador for the country. Young players will respond to Howe as he has proved a good man-manager.

'Every box is ticked, with the biggest issue being whether an aspiring coach with ambitions to win trophies at Newcastle and challenge himself in the Champions League wants to walk away from a brilliant job and passionate fanbase.

'Next manager should be English and it is fantasy to think Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola could reproduce their football with a national team. I am sure Howe would do a very good job with England. Better than Southgate? No one can be sure of that.’

With all the speculation and debate continuing, it'll be good to hear from Howe himself when the Newcastle boss addresses the media tomorrow for the first time since May.