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Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe plays down England job talk

Eddie Howe has said he is "committed" to Bournemouth but reiterated his belief that managing England is "the ultimate job."

Howe was one of the leading candidates to replace Roy Hodgson when he stepped down as England boss in the summer and is now being linked with the post again following Sam Allardyce's shock departure.

The 38-year-old has previously said he would relish the chance to coach England one day but insisted on Thursday morning that he has not heard from the Football Association, while reaffirming his commitment to Bournemouth.

He told a news conference: "They haven't come to me and my message is very similar. I am committed here, I love the job.

"The England job is the ultimate job [but] I have signed players very recently and I am committed to them. I need to show them the same loyalty that they showed me.

"It's all hypothetical of course but I could not turn my back on this club. I want to show loyalty to the people who have employed me, the same loyalty that they showed me.

"It is very nice of [people] to say [that I am the right man for the job], but it has no bearing on my decision. My aims are to move this club forward, to try and lead this club up in the Premier League this season and that is my only thought.

"It sounds arrogant but I am not interested in the job now, but you never know what will happen in the future."