Eddie Howe has reportedly turned down the opportunity to manage Ligue 1 club Lens, who parted ways with Dino Toppmoller in September, as speculation continues over his next move in football management.
The former Newcastle United head coach left St James' Park in July after telling the board he had taken the club as far as he could, just weeks after a refreshed transfer policy had kicked in. It is believed Howe did not have overall control of a summer spend that saw the Magpies sign Bazoumana Toure, Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur.
Howe's sabbatical continues
Howe's departure led to Matthias Jaissle taking his place, with the 48-year-old opting to take a sabbatical. Sources close to Howe say he is not planning an immediate return to management; however, the former Toon chief knows that big opportunities don't come around often and may have to step back into the dugout unexpectedly.
New reports suggest Howe stayed on his break despite the Lens offer, as speculation swirls around his next move with both Michael Carrick at Manchester United and Fulham's Alvaro Arbeloa currently under pressure.
Potential Premier League return
Any emotional return to St James' Park for Howe with a different club would see him get a warm welcome back on Tyneside.
Sky Bet currently have odds of 2/1 on Howe being appointed as the next first-team chief at Old Trafford if Carrick is sacked, while there are odds of 9/1 for the Carabao Cup winning boss to replace Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur. Ambitious Championship side Wrexham, who have already nabbed former Toon transfer chief Steve Nickson, are 11/1 to pull off what would be a coup for Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Howe's farewell message
After leaving Newcastle, Howe said in July: "After a period of personal reflection, I have decided that now is the right time for me to step away from my role as head coach of Newcastle United."
"After nearly five years of giving my life, heart and soul into the club with unrelenting energy, I feel that it is in the best interests of both myself and the club to step away, recharge and take a break."
"Although it's been incredibly difficult to make this decision, I know in my heart that it's the right one. I have always put the best interests of Newcastle before my own in every single decision I have made whilst I've been here and this one is no different."
"It has been the privilege of my lifetime to have been the manager of Newcastle United. It is difficult to put into words what this club, the city and its supporters mean, and will always mean, to me and my family. From the moment myself, Jason Tindall and all of the staff arrived nearly half a decade ago, Newcastle instantly felt like home and the people here welcomed us with open arms."
