Football, Rugby, UFC, GAA
All free when you join eir Broadband
Howe: England rumours were 'speculation'
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has dismissed rumours that he was in the running for the England job as "pure press speculation".
The Football Association appointed Sam Allardyce as England manager on Friday, with the 61-year-old signing an initial two-year deal after the FA agreed a compensation deal with Sunderland.
Howe insists that he did not speak to the FA about the role, and gave his backing to Allardyce as successor to Roy Hodgson, who quit after England were knocked out of Euro 2016 by Iceland in the Round of 16.
The 38-year-old, who won two caps for England Under-21's side as a player, says his "immediate focus" is on Bournemouth, who he guided from League One to the Premier League in just three years.
"I was very proud to have even been linked with the role," Howe told the Bournemouth Daily Echo.
"But from my perspective this summer was always about AFC Bournemouth and making sure we are as prepared as we can be for the tough season ahead.
"It was nice to have been linked with the role because it meant people have recognised the successful campaign of last season. That recognition is what the players here deserve.
"But it was all just pure press speculation and nothing ever changed my immediate focus. 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.”
Soccer News
Sutton backs "firefighter" Allardyce
08:40 | TodayChris Sutton says Everton need to appoint "firefighter" Sam Allardyce to turn things around at Goodison Park.
Unsworth slams "sloppy" Everton after Europa League defeat
18:11 | 2/11/17Everton caretaker boss David Unsworth says "sloppy" defending caused the 3-0 defeat at Lyon that saw them to crash out of the Europa League.
Klopp's man-management of Lovren "poor", says Cunningham
13:04 | 2/11/17Kenny Cunningham says Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp showed "poor man-management" in his dealings with Dejan Lovren.
West Ham "can hurt" Liverpool on the counter, say Bilic
16:17 | 2/11/17West Ham boss Slaven Bilic says his side "can hurt" LIverpool with counter-attacking football in Saturday's Premier League game at the London Stadium.
Spurs keeper Lloris ruled out for two weeks
19:26 | 2/11/17Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris has been ruled out for at least two weeks with a groin injury.
Top Stories
Callanan hints at staying on for 2018
10:26 | TodayGalway goalkeeper Colm Callanan has hinted that he will play on in 2018 because "there's not too much running" in his role.
Arsenal "woke up" in second half, says Wilshere
22:31 | 2/11/17Arsenal qualified for the knock-out stages of the Europa League after a goalless draw with Red Star Belgrade at the Emirates.
What's On Now
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?s=100&p[url]=http://www.eirsport.ie/howe-england-rumours-were-speculation&p[images]=http://www.eirsport.ie/uploads/eir/2016-07/EddieHoweClaps.jpg&p[title]=Howe: England rumours were 'speculation'&p[summary]=Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has dismissed rumours that he was in the running for the England job as "pure press speculation".){kind=link}
What’s in the eir Sport Pack?
We’ve got heartstopping action across 7 great sports channels, with 42 Premier League games, every Champions League game and every Europa League game, as well as UFC, Allianz Leagues GAA, Golf, F1 and much more.
