NEWCASTLE will fight to keep hold of Eddie Howe this summer as the FA considers making a move for United's head coach - with Darren Eales convinced the Magpies boss remains as committed as ever to his job on Tyneside.

Howe has been identified by the FA as one of the leading targets to replace Gareth Southgate, who announced he was stepping down on Tuesday after eight years in charge.

Howe previously described England as the "ultimate job" when in charge of Bournemouth but has repeatedly committed himself to Newcastle when pressed on the issue in the last two years.

Despite missing out on European football last season and this summer's exit of Amanda Staveley, a key ally of the head coach, Newcastle are desperate to keep hold of Howe, who Eales believes will lead the Magpies "to great things".

Speaking to the media on Tuesday afternoon, just hours after Southgate's exit had been confirmed, Eales revealed Howe signed a new contract at Newcastle last summer and while he wouldn't disclose details, said it was a "multi-year deal."

If Howe was interested in the role and the FA triggered Newcastle's compensation figure to release the head coach, the Magpies would be powerless, but Eales doesn't think it will come to that.

Howe is known to be admired by the FA, whose chief executive Mark Bullingham said on Tuesday the process to replace Southgate is "under way". Graham Potter is another leading candidate, while Lee Carsley, currently in charge of England's Under-21s, will also be seriously considered.

Eales hasn't spoken to Howe specifically about the England situation recently but believes Newcastle's boss is still better suited to the day-to-day of club management - and remains happy at St James' Park.

There's been no contact from the FA yet, and Eales said: "Eddie has been an amazing manager at the club. He's committed to the club and we're obviously committed to him. He signed a multi-year extension last summer. We're on an exciting journey and as far as we're concerned, Eddie is the man to lead us on that. From that perspective, there's nothing really I can add."

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Asked whether Newcastle would fight to keep Howe should the FA make a move, Eales replied: “Yes, absolutely.

“I don’t want to speak on hypotheticals so let me just step back, for us as a club Eddie has done a brilliant job.

“He’s a great developer of players. He gets the psyche of the club and Newcastle and the fans. We’ve seen that with the way the team and the supporters have that affinity.

“For us, he is exactly the right man for the project we are on at Newcastle United and that is why we are committed to a long term deal with him. That’s why we think he’s the right man for Newcastle. We love him.”

Howe agreed a new long-term contract with Newcastle in the summer of 2022 but Eales has now revealed another deal was signed last summer.

He said: “I don’t want to talk on it but it’s a multi-year deal and in those circumstances like any employee from us, there would have to be compensation paid (if the FA make an approach).

"Again, it’s hypothetical but he’s under a multi-year deal, there’s not a set (compensation) number, it’s about he’s our employee so from that perspective we’re not looking to release Eddie for all the reasons I’ve spoken about.

"He’s a top coach, he’s the right coach for Newcastle United at the right moment and this is the coach we want to lead the club for the future."

Eales admitted Newcastle have a succession plan in place in the eventuality of Howe at some stage moving on, but said: "It’s one of those ones you never want to use it."

Eales "absolutely" believes Howe will still be Newcastle manager on the first day of the coming Premier League season, and said one of the reasons Paul Mitchell was identified as a priority target this summer is because the Magpies believe the club's new sporting director will work well with the head coach.

Eales said: “What we have to do is channel Eddie onto what he does best and that is on the grass. With that he is phenomenal in terms of putting that team together. As a club that is what we are trying to do with hires like Paul Mitchell.

“From the performance perspective, it’s about what can we do to help Eddie. It is all about recruitment perspective or an academy and who we are bringing thought the pipelines or an availability from an injury.

“How can we help Eddie to have the tools to put the best possible team out there? We know in Eddie we have a great coach who can lead us to great things.”