London (AFP) – Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe ruled himself out Thursday of replacing Sam Allardyce as England manager, although he said the “ultimate job” could tempt him later in his career.
Allardyce’s one-game career as England manager came to a humiliating end after just 67 days on Tuesday following controversial comments made to undercover reporters.
The 61-year-old was secretly filmed giving advice on how to circumnavigate transfer rules and mocking England predecessor Roy Hodgson.
Allardyce, appointed England manager in July on a £3 million-a-year-contract ($3.9 million), also agreed to travel to Singapore and Hong Kong as an ambassador for their fictitious firm for a fee of £400,000.
England Under-21 coach Gareth Southgate has been placed in caretaker charge for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, but Howe, 38, has been touted as a full-time replacement.
Howe was linked with the England job after Hodgson resigned following the team’s embarrassing exit from this year’s European Championships in France at the hands of Iceland.
But he insisted Thursday he wanted to help cement south coast side Bournemouth’s place in the Premier League as he followed United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann in ruling himself out of replacing Allardyce.
“They (the Football Association) haven’t come to me and my message is very similar. I am committed here, I love the job and I have a lot more to do here,” Howe said.
“I think I have said in many interviews that the England job is the ultimate job. It’s all hypothetical of course but I could not turn my back on this club. I want to show loyalty to the people who have employed me, the same loyalty that they showed me.
“It sounds arrogant but I am not interested in the (England) job now, but you never know what will happen in the future.”
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew, who played alongside Southgate for the south London club, has also been linked to the England job.
– ‘Pinnacle’ –
But he insisted he was happy at Selhurst Park.
“Eddie Howe said this morning it was the pinnacle for any Englishman’s career, I agree with that,” said Pardew.
“I’m so lucky to have this football club where it is right now, the chairman and I have a great relationship. They have shown me great faith and I have a team I have a good feeling about. This football club at this time is where I want to be.”
Veteran Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, long spoken of as a possible England manager, is out of contract with the Gunners at the end of the season.
“I’ve said many times that my priority has always been Arsenal Football Club and I have to assess how well I do until the end of the season,” said the Frenchman.
Meanwhile Wales manager Chris Coleman sympathised with Allardyce, saying: “I have known Sam a long time, and I knew how much he wanted the job and how proud he was he had got it. I am gutted for him that he has lost his job through events off the pitch, rather than on the pitch.
“I know Sam will be absolutely devastated. He made a mistake, I think he has admitted that, and it’s a shame. He has just let his guard down, and he has lost his job, which is a huge disappointment.
“Nowadays, the way it is, social media, you can’t look left or right. It’s crazy, really.
“You let your guard down for five minutes, and there is always someone there waiting to cast a cloud over you.”
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