Holland to leave Chelsea for England role

Steve Holland will leave Chelsea at the end of the season to become full-time assistant manager with England.

The 46-year-old, who has been at Stamford Bridge since 2009, will work with the national team for the friendlies with Germany and Lithuania in March before joining the Football Association on a permanent basis next summer.

Holland has worked closely with England boss Gareth Southgate since 2013, initially with the Under-21s before stepping up to the senior squad in the Autumn.

He replaces Sammy Lee as England’s assistant manager.

Having previously been in charge of Crewe Alexandra’s famed academy, and also having a spell as their first-team head coach, Holland joined Chelsea after a brief period as manager of Stoke City’s academy.

His first role with the Blues was as reserve team manager, replacing Paul Clement.

Following the arrival of Andre Villas-Boas as first-team boss in June 2011, Holland was promoted to the role of assistant first-team coach, and was later number two to Roberto Di Matteo, Rafael Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink.

His role under current boss Antonio Conte is as one of several assistant first-team coaches, and Chelsea have confirmed he will not be replaced when he leaves.