The Prophet

He's probably putting two and two together on the back of the previous link and Reuben's plane flying to Leipzig last night.

We were linked last summer if I recall correctly?

No idea why people still get hung up on pre-season results.

KI was right.

Seems Monchi has this navigating FFP business down pat.

It's been pretty widely discussed this could be Southgate's last tournament. I'd be amazed if they haven't asked the question. We'd need a contingency if there's any chance of him leaving.

To add to the above, I doubt he'd be front and centre of plans for the coming season if he was about to walk.

If Southgate leaves there will be a lot of noise, but there's candidates far more likely to take the step down.

I think it's nailed on to be Lee Carsley.

It doesn't feel like there's been a solid link for weeks.

He was out of contract.

From Douglas' article: "i understands Newcastle would resist any overtures from the FA to speak to Howe. But as the club discovered with Manchester United’s interest in Ashworth, it is the attitude of the individual that really matters. Publicly and privately Howe has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to Newcastle, repeatedly dodging the England question with his trademark straight bat. He told Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast recently that he was too focused on Newcastle to even think about England – and anyone who has witnessed his single-mindedness first-hand would testify that’s probably not a politician’s answer. ... Those close to Howe admit it is a long-term ambition but international football’s prestige has dimmed over the last decade. The paucity of some of the play in Germany over the last month was in stark contrast to the vibrancy of the Premier League and Champions League, where Howe wants to prove himself. Howe desperately wants to end Newcastle’s trophy drought." Sounds like a non-starter.

Out of interest, when was the last time a sought after manager in their peak years left a top flight job to join a national setup? It's usually someone out of contract, in the setup or on the decline.

Agree with this.

Off to Barca isn't he?

It's not just the wages, it's releasing him from his contract. I'm fairly confident Howe would turn it down regardless. There's a reason you rarely see top flight managers move mid-contract from club to country.

Hard to see the FA having the cash or the ambition to make a serious go at recruiting Howe.

The most maddening part is that they were absolutely rattled after the equaliser and yet we retreated and surrendered our momentum.

They're obviously not as good, but they're better to watch from an entertainment stand point.

Can't wait to see how Lee Carsley takes this lot forward.

Should bury that.

Their press has been class second half like.

We're going to Greece/Portugal this.