Steve Holland (football)
Encyclopedia
Steve Holland is an English football coach who is currently assistant first team coach at Chelsea
. Holland managed Crewe Alexandra
until November 2008, where he took over following Dario Gradi
's decision to step down as manager in 2007.
until his late teens, when, after a bad injury, he was told that he would not be kept on. He had short stints playing professional football for Bury
and for Husqvarna ff of Sweden and semi-pro for Northwich Victoria
but, aged 21 and after several unsuccessful trials at various clubs, Holland decided to go into coaching.
in 1992 by Dario Gradi
, who had coached Holland as a schoolboy .
In 2006, he entered onto the UEFA Pro License
course and completed it in June 2007.He also completed the LMA PFA Certificate in applied management at Warwick University in 2009 .
Holland slowly made his way through the coaching ranks at Crewe before becoming the club's Academy Director, looking after the club's successful academy.The Academy produced a host of players who went on to play at the highest level .Holland also had a spell as fist team coach during the clubs successful period in the Championship . At the start of the 2006–07
season, Gradi revealed that Holland would be involved more in the first team set-up for the season. By April 2007, it was largely accepted by Crewe Alexandra supporters that Holland would be the man to eventually replace Gradi, manager of the club since 1983, as manager. On 20 April 2007, it was announced by the football club that Gradi would be taking up a new role as Technical Director on 1 July 2007 while Holland would be promoted to the role of First-Team Coach, whilst keeping his job as Academy Director. Gradi revealed that Holland was the "right man" to eventually replace him and that the move was a "gradual transition". The move meant that Holland's role at the club was much nearer to being a manager rather than a coach. He left this role on 18 November 2008 and was replaced by former manager Dario Gradi, after which he held talks with the club to decide his future there.
However, in early December it was reported that Holland would be leaving Crewe. In March 2009, he was appointed manager of the youth academy at nearby Stoke City
.
Holland has been credited by former Crewe Alexandra players, like Dean Ashton
and Danny Murphy, as being the biggest influence on their career.
On 12 August 2009, Holland was named the reserve team manager for Chelsea
.
In season 2009 2010 Holland was part of the Chelsea management team that won the Domestic Double , for the 1st time in the clubs history .
In season 2010 2011 Hollands Chelsea Reserve Team won the Barclays Premier Reserve league.They beat Northern Champions Blackburn Rovers in a play off final having secured the Southern championship for the first time since 1994.On the 29th June 2011 it was announced that Holland would become assistant first team coach at Chelsea under new manager André Villas-Boas.
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. Holland managed Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
until November 2008, where he took over following Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi MBE is an Italian-born English football manager and former player, who was serving as manager of the Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy. He is a former manager of Crewe Alexandra, with whom he has been associated for almost thirty years.Gradi is notable for his 24-year first spell as manager...
's decision to step down as manager in 2007.
Playing career
As a schoolboy, Holland progressed through the academy at Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
until his late teens, when, after a bad injury, he was told that he would not be kept on. He had short stints playing professional football for Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
and for Husqvarna ff of Sweden and semi-pro for Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
but, aged 21 and after several unsuccessful trials at various clubs, Holland decided to go into coaching.
Coaching career
Holland was appointed as a youth coach at Crewe AlexandraCrewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
in 1992 by Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi
Dario Gradi MBE is an Italian-born English football manager and former player, who was serving as manager of the Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy. He is a former manager of Crewe Alexandra, with whom he has been associated for almost thirty years.Gradi is notable for his 24-year first spell as manager...
, who had coached Holland as a schoolboy .
In 2006, he entered onto the UEFA Pro License
UEFA Pro License
The UEFA Pro Licence is a coaching licence from UEFA . The UEFA Pro Licence is the final coaching qualification available, and follows the completion of the UEFA 'B' and 'A' Licences....
course and completed it in June 2007.He also completed the LMA PFA Certificate in applied management at Warwick University in 2009 .
Holland slowly made his way through the coaching ranks at Crewe before becoming the club's Academy Director, looking after the club's successful academy.The Academy produced a host of players who went on to play at the highest level .Holland also had a spell as fist team coach during the clubs successful period in the Championship . At the start of the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season, Gradi revealed that Holland would be involved more in the first team set-up for the season. By April 2007, it was largely accepted by Crewe Alexandra supporters that Holland would be the man to eventually replace Gradi, manager of the club since 1983, as manager. On 20 April 2007, it was announced by the football club that Gradi would be taking up a new role as Technical Director on 1 July 2007 while Holland would be promoted to the role of First-Team Coach, whilst keeping his job as Academy Director. Gradi revealed that Holland was the "right man" to eventually replace him and that the move was a "gradual transition". The move meant that Holland's role at the club was much nearer to being a manager rather than a coach. He left this role on 18 November 2008 and was replaced by former manager Dario Gradi, after which he held talks with the club to decide his future there.
However, in early December it was reported that Holland would be leaving Crewe. In March 2009, he was appointed manager of the youth academy at nearby Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
.
Holland has been credited by former Crewe Alexandra players, like Dean Ashton
Dean Ashton
Dean Ashton is a former English professional footballer. He made over 240 appearances as a forward in the Football League and Premier League for Crewe Alexandra, Norwich City and , and was also capped by England. He was highly praised as a talented centre forward, but had a career frustrated by...
and Danny Murphy, as being the biggest influence on their career.
On 12 August 2009, Holland was named the reserve team manager for Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
.
In season 2009 2010 Holland was part of the Chelsea management team that won the Domestic Double , for the 1st time in the clubs history .
In season 2010 2011 Hollands Chelsea Reserve Team won the Barclays Premier Reserve league.They beat Northern Champions Blackburn Rovers in a play off final having secured the Southern championship for the first time since 1994.On the 29th June 2011 it was announced that Holland would become assistant first team coach at Chelsea under new manager André Villas-Boas.