Bournemouth’s manager, Eddie Howe, has said he was not in the running for the England job and has given his backing to Sam Allardyce, who was formally appointed as manager on Friday.
Various national media reports had strongly linked Howe with the role, following Roy Hodgson’s resignation as manager last month. The Football Association interviewed Allardyce and the former Hull City manager Steve Bruce for the job and is thought to have at least considered both Howe and Jürgen Klinsmann for the post.
But Bournemouth received no approach for their manager, who has guided the club from League One to the Premier League under his watch since 2013.
“I was never approached and it was just press speculation,” said Howe. “It was no different for me and my focus was always 100 per cent at Bournemouth and I think I have shown that throughout the summer with the transfer dealings and the last thing on your mind is walking out and leaving them.
“It may have been a distraction for other people but for me it was business as usual. I think it is absolutely a compliment to be linked with the job. I am really proud from the players’ perspective because they have worked so hard in a short space of time and speaks volumes with what they have done.
“I think it is a good appointment for England and Sam will do a very good job. He has done very well wherever he has been.”
Howe, who was capped twice at England Under-21 level, signed a contract extension with Bournemouth until 2020 last October. The 38-year-old reiterated his commitment to Bournemouth in April, amid reports with the then Everton vacancy.
“I don’t think I have to reaffirm my commitment here every week, which seems to be a regular pattern,” he said. “I love it here and I’m committed to the job. You’ve got to win games to stay in work and I’m fully committed to this job here.”
Bournemouth continue their pre-season preparations at Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon, following the conclusion of their 10-day training camp in the United States. The Minnesota United goalkeeper, Sammy Ndjock, scored a bizarre own-goal to help Bournemouth on their way to a comfortable 4-0 win on Wednesday in their pre-season opener, in which the new signing Jordon Ibe made his debut.
