Luke Edwards, a correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, has analysed the next steps in Eddie Howe's career, with both Manchester United and the England national team emerging as potential destinations. Howe is keen to take a break from management, but his impressive managerial record has made him a sought-after candidate for high-profile positions in football.

Eddie Howe will not lack for offers. He achieved remarkable success at Bournemouth, guiding the club from the second tier to the Premier League. In his first season at St James' Park, he helped Newcastle United avoid relegation. He subsequently led the club to two Champions League qualifications and won the League Cup in 2025, the club's first domestic trophy in 70 years.

The Premier League will return to action on 10 October, a period when managerial changes often occur. Owners, sporting directors, and executives assess performances at the start of the season and seriously consider replacing underperforming managers.

The Telegraph has examined the options available to Eddie Howe and which roles might appeal to him.

Eddie Howe genuinely wants a break

If you ask Eddie Howe what he will do next, the answer is straightforward. He is not thinking about football at all right now. He is not considering new positions and currently has no plans to return to management. Multiple sources close to the 48-year-old coach have confirmed this to The Telegraph Sport.

In fact, when Eddie Howe departed Newcastle United emotionally in July, he told me he needed a break not just from club management but from football entirely. He wants to spend more time with his family, feeling he has missed too much time with his three sons. His mindset has not changed since then.

To understand his reluctance to return to football quickly, one must understand what he has endured in recent years. Shortly after winning the League Cup in March 2025, he was hospitalised in April of the same year. This significantly affected both his physical and mental health, and he did not give himself enough time to recover. He has told friends that he is now trying to restore his body to good health.

Meanwhile, other matters hold great importance for him. His three sons are between 7 and 15 years old. He took the Newcastle United position nearly five years ago, and when he commits to a job, he commits fully. That is how he works, and he does not want to change that.

But this commitment has come at the expense of his family life. Now he wants to dedicate himself fully to his children during crucial years of their development. They plan to spend this time together with his wife, Vicki, and their sons. This is his top priority right now.

After leaving Bournemouth, he took a break from football lasting over a year before returning to manage Newcastle United in November 2021. This time, his break may not be as long, but a prolonged absence cannot be ruled out.

In January 2009, at age 31, Eddie Howe became Bournemouth's manager, becoming the youngest manager in the English Football League at that time. He has enjoyed a long and successful coaching career since then. His desire for a break is genuine, and he is reportedly living a stable and content life now.

Only the right role will do

Eddie Howe's team knows his name will be linked with every managerial vacancy in the Premier League this season. They understand why, but he will not return simply for the sake of returning. He will not accept offers from clubs he considers inferior to Newcastle United. Why should he? Eddie Howe is among England's finest managers of his era. He has promoted Newcastle three times, establishing them in the Premier League, and transformed Newcastle United from relegation-threatened to Champions League contenders for the first time in their history.

More significantly, he has achieved things at Newcastle United that neither Kevin Keegan nor Sir Bobby Robson could: ending one of the longest trophy droughts in English football. In four years, he took the club to two domestic cup finals and three League Cup semi-finals. By any measure, he is the most successful manager in Newcastle United's modern history.

With such a track record, he will not deliberately accept a position managing a mid-table or lower-table club fighting relegation. If a club's budget is insufficient to challenge for the title, such an offer will not sway him.

This is bad news for mid-to-lower-tier Premier League sides such as Crystal Palace and Fulham. Regardless of how appealing the conditions or salary, it will be difficult to convince Eddie Howe to shorten his sabbatical.

Could a managerial position abroad appeal to him? Perhaps, but it would need to meet the criteria mentioned above. Furthermore, at this stage, he is unlikely to want his young family to relocate.

What would be the right role?

Currently, Eddie Howe would likely say he will not return to club management unless an exceptional opportunity arises. He does not need to work for financial reasons. His career has been remarkably successful, and even if he were to transition into media commentary, interesting offers would come his way. Without a sufficiently compelling project, he feels no pressure to return.

However, retiring from coaching entirely is unrealistic, and he knows deep down that he will eventually return. He simply wants time to rest, recover, and await an offer that will reignite his passion.

He has consistently achieved results above expectations with Newcastle United and Bournemouth. What could Eddie Howe accomplish at a club with greater financial resources or comparable backing?

Several major English clubs are currently underperforming expectations. Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United have recently appointed new permanent managers. The clubs are committed to giving Sabe Alonso, Roberto De Zerbi, and Michael Carrick time and support to restore their teams to their former heights. There are currently no indications that these clubs are considering managerial changes.

However, should performances deteriorate, Eddie Howe's name would inevitably be discussed in connection with managerial vacancies. We are not yet at that point, and there is no guarantee that Eddie Howe would be willing to return to club management this season. Only a truly compelling offer would draw him back to club football.

The England manager position

This role would suit him well.

Previously, the Football Association considered hiring Eddie Howe when Gareth Southgate departed. The FA initially planned to interview him, but Eddie Howe made it clear at the time that he was unwilling to leave Newcastle United, making the interview unnecessary.

The timing was too early in his career for the England role. Eddie Howe felt he would always miss the daily interaction with players. At that stage of his career, international matches were too infrequent and irregular.

However, circumstances have changed, and Eddie Howe has not closed the door on becoming England manager one day. He views the role as the highest honour an English manager can receive, and he is undoubtedly among the leading candidates domestically.

When Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag, Sir Jim Ratcliffe wanted to hire Eddie Howe, but the proposal was not accepted. Other Old Trafford executives confirmed that Amorim was the preferable choice, and Ratcliffe's time as sporting director at Manchester United ended shortly after.

Unless Thomas Tuchel's team collapses before Euro 2024, the England manager position will not become vacant until 2028. The German coach signed a new contract before the World Cup and was originally scheduled to lead the team at Euro in the home nation.

However, given his desire for an extended break from football, Eddie Howe may now be more receptive to the England manager role than he was previously. Should he choose to wait for this opportunity, it could prove mutually beneficial for all parties involved.

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