Your Newcastle United headlines for Monday, December 12.
O'Neill interview
Newcastle were on the hunt for a new boss. After Graeme Souness "never clicked" with the fans, late chairman Freddy Shepherd admitted it was "vitally important that the new manager is popular, that the supporters like him". With that in mind, ironically, all roads pointed to a boyhood Sunderland fan in 2006.
"I spoke then at the time to Mr Shepherd," O'Neill told ChronicleLive following the release of his new book, 'On Days Like These'. "I had a conversation. It never materialised. There were a number of people that they were interested in, but it didn't materialise anyway.
READ MORE: Dan Burn delivers dressing room verdict as Newcastle United leave Premier League rivals rattled
"Because I grew up as a Sunderland fanatic, I was getting a lot of letters from people saying, 'They will never forgive you if you go to Newcastle.' I think that was just from my brother - never mind anyone else!"
To read the full interview with O'Neill, click here.
Howe for England?
Eddie Howe is among the bookmakers' favourites to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager. The Three Lions World Cup campaign came to a disappointing end after a Quarter Final defeat to defending champions France.
The defeat has raised further questions over the future of the head coach of the national team with his contract currently expiring following Euro 2024. Southgate statistically ranks above World Cup-winning boss Sir Alf Ramsay for wins at a major international tournament, winning more games than any of his predecessors.
However, that hasn't stopped critics calling for the head coach to be replaced given the crop of talent at his disposal.
To read more, click here.
Burn talks England omission
Dan Burn has opened up about failing to make England's 26-man squad for the World Cup. Reflecting on the England disappointment, Burn said: "It was just nice to be in the conversation to be honest. "I felt so far away from that at one time. It was more disappointing that I am 30 now. Not that I ever really had that in my sights but it's something I will never really get the chance to do."
"When people start talking about it you do get excited. I was disappointed but along with 100 other English lads in the Premier League. I still think I could have added to the squad but Gareth has done an amazing job the last six years and has relied on the lads who done well."
To read more, click here.
Joelinton injury all-clear
Newcastle star Joelinton should be good to go for the Magpies' last 16 League Cup tie against AFC Bournemouth.
The Brazilian suffered a slight muscle strain in Riyadh during the 5-0 win over Al-Hilal and was walked around the pitch by a physio. But Joelinton's substitution was nothing more than a precaution.
To read more, click here.
Transfer warning
Newcastle have been handed an early reminder that the January transfer window will prove tough to navigate as Eddie Howe ponders adding to his Magpies squad. The Toon chief held a transfer summit with sporting director Dan Ashworth while out in Saudi Arabia last week, with a number of targets discussed ahead of next month's window.
Christian Pulisic, James Maddison and Joao Felix are a few names already linked with a move to Newcastle, while summer transfer target Goncalo Ramos netted a hat-trick at the World Cup earlier this month to put himself back in the frame for a January switch.
To read more, click here.
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