GARY NEVILLE claims Eddie Howe should leave Newcastle to better himself.
And the Manchester United legend warned the Toon chief he might "lose" out - if he doesn't depart soon.
Talk of "friction" between Howe and Newcastle's new sporting director Paul Mitchell has soared this week.
And Neville explains why he believes a swift exit is the easiest way for the former Bournemouth boss to make the "next step up".
Howe has been linked with the England job since Gareth Southgate's departure over the summer.
And although interim chief Lee Carsley is now strong favourite for the permanent job, it's Howe, along with Pep Guardiola and Graham Potter, who comes next in the betting odds.
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Neville reckons it's time for the 46-year-old, who has ben in charge of Newcastle since 2021, to put himself first.
The ex-England defender told podcast, via : “If I was Eddie Howe, I would go and look after myself
“You’ve had a great Premier League career, you’ve done a brilliant job.
"You’ve been fantastic at Newcastle. You’ve almost closed that chapter of their development."
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Nev added: “England are in a great position with players. You’re going to be working with amazing players.
"The next step up in Eddie’s career would be England.
"It’s difficult to get a Chelsea job, or Man United or Liverpool. He’ll know that.
"He might get Tottenham at some point in the future.
“My point is for Eddie, it’s difficult… to win with England, you’d have a chance of getting one of those top jobs.
"I think it’s his next step up, and I think he would take that job.
"He’s got to be proactive and not wait for other people to determine his outcome.”
Neville also suggested it might all go wrong for Howe unless he acts within the next few months - because of reported wrangling within St. James Park.
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The Sky Sports pundit argued: "I think he'll lose if this drags on until January or February.
"It ends for him but (by then) the England job has been given to someone else - and he's lost both."