(Credit: Getty Images)

Ben Palmer

Sat 22 March 2025 19:09, UK

Eddie Howe will be sick of Thomas Tuchel as the England manager has once again wreaked havoc on the Newcastle manager’s plans.

Despite being without Anthony Gordon due to suspension, Howe was still able to mastermind Newcastle’s first major trophy in 70-years, with a win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

However, following England’s 2-0 win against Albania, the ex-Everton winger went down with a nasty injury, hobbling off the pitch and seemingly consigning the Magpies boss to an extended period without him.

Tuchel provided this update on the 24-year-old’s injury after the final whistle: “First of all I thought it was his stomach but it’s his hip and it does not look good.”

Anthony Gordon set for spell on side-lines during crucial run-in

Howe will likely have been furious to see his star player slowly make his way off against Albania, having suffered a painful looking injury.

In a game that was already won, Tuchel may have risked Newcastle‘s season by bringing on the left-winger, even if he couldn’t have known how things would go.

Gordon was able to remain on the pitch until full-time, but required medical assistance and help getting down the tunnel after some rough treatment on the pitch.

The battle between Premier League clubs and the England national team has been a long-running affair, Alex Ferguson infamously tried to stop a number of his players, including Nicky Butt and Wayne Rooney, going on international duty for fear of them returning injured.

Now, the worst case scenario has happened for Howe, losing Gordon at a crucial time during their chase for Champions League football.

Thomas Tuchel chosen for England job over Eddie Howe

The injury to Gordon is the latest instalment in the battle between Tuchel and Howe surrounding the national side.

The former Bournemouth manager was thought to be in the running for the England job when Gareth Southgate left his post in the summer.

However, with the German manager out of a job after leaving Bayern Munich, making him easier and cheaper to attain, Tuchel stole a march for the post, a move that drew the ire of Nicky Butt, who believes Howe should have been made England boss at that point.

Whilst some may think the ex-Burnley manager would rather stay with his club, Howe would have taken the England job if it had been offered to him, according to Harry Redknapp.

However, the Newcastle boss may have the last laugh. The current manager of the Three Lions is on a short-term contract, set to expire at the end of next year, Howe may be the one who replaces Tuchel, should the FA decide against renewing his contract.