EDDIE Howe has welcomed the appointment of Sam Allardyce as the new England manager – and has also confirmed he had never been in the running for the job.

Cherries boss Howe was strongly tipped as a contender to replace Roy Hodgson, who stepped down following the Three Lions’ dismal showing at the European Championship.

Media reports suggested the FA had been keen to speak to Howe and wanted to discuss the possibility of him taking the role – either full or part-time – or working alongside Allardyce.

But no approach was ever made to Cherries and Allardyce was earlier today unveiled as Hodgson’s permanent successor, the 61-year-old leaving Sunderland and signing a two-year contract.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Howe said: “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.

“His teams are always competitive and hard to beat so if he could take that into the England job then I think we will do well in future tournaments.

“As an opposition manager, when you come up against Sam’s teams, you know you are going to be in for a battle and nothing is going to be given to you.

“He prides himself on being well organised and tough to beat and we saw that at Sunderland last season. Before he came in, they were in a difficult position but he galvanised them and they picked up points from some tough games and he eventually led them to safety.

“When you look at the England position, it is a tough role for anyone to take but Sam has broad shoulders and I think he will take the responsibility and relish the challenge which lies ahead.”

Asked whether there had been any substance to rumours linking him with the job, Howe, who yesterday returned from a 10-day training camp in America, replied: “I was very proud to have even been linked with the role.

“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.”

Asked whether the England position would interest him in the future, Howe, who was capped twice at under-21 level, replied: “I have been asked this question before and it is difficult to answer.

“In management, you can never look too far ahead. You can only really look at short-term targets. Whatever may lie ahead for me is going to be shaped by what I do in the immediate future.

“That has always been the way I have worked. I am honoured and privileged to be the manager of AFC Bournemouth.

“I have never – and would never – take this job for granted and that will always be the case for as long as I am the manager of this fantastic club.”