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Steve Holland, England’s right-hand man, and Gareth Southgate lead the team in their quest for Euro 2024 glory.
However, the romance genuinely began 13 years ago after a fortuitous meeting in a Surrey suburb.
While employed by the FA in youth development, Southgate received an invitation to visit Chelsea’s Cobham training facility.
At the age of thirty-three, Andre Villas-Boas became the newest manager employed by Roman Abramovich.
Holland, his assistant?
And in that training session, he made a profound impression on Southgate.
To the extent that, in 2013, after taking over as England Under-21 coach, Southgate offered Holland a position as an assistant, all the while maintaining his Chelsea position.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, Holland collaborated with Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benítez, Antonio Conte, and Guus Hiddink.
However, he left following the 2016–17 campaign, which contributed to Chelsea under Conte winning the Premier League.
Southgate needed a dependable No. 2 after it was clear he would replace Sam Allardyce.
England vs Spain record
England have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…
- May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)
- December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)
- May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)
- November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly(L)
- October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)
- March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)
- March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)
- February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)
- September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)
- September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)
- October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.
Holland has been in Southgate’s dugout ever since he made a permanent switch to the England team.
“First of all, I could not do it without him,” Southgate remarked.
For me, he strikes a wonderful balance. His advantages outweigh my disadvantages. He takes such great care when getting ready.
We’ve become quite close. We have a great deal of faith in one another, and I couldn’t ask for a greater partner.
“He’s won everything—the Premier League, the Champions League, and everything else. Like me, he is a proud Englishman, but he is missing one medal.
“Despite having outstanding employees in every department, it is evident that our bond is incredibly strong.”
In their debut tournament together, they led England to the 2018 World Cup semifinal, where they were defeated 2-1 by Croatia.
It was widely regarded as a very positive indication, coming just two years after England was memorably eliminated from Euro 2016 by Iceland in the round of 16.
Three years later, during the postponed Euro 2020, England showed improvement as they advanced to their first final since winning the World Cup in 1966.
However, Italy’s heartbreaking penalty shootout victory at Wembley meant that the agonizing wait would go on.
When England lost to France in the quarterfinals of the 2022 winter World Cup, they were in a familiar position.
But now that England has overcome Slovakia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, they have another chance to win big.
The Spanish are the ones who wait this time.