A PREMIER LEGEND has been a key component of Gareth Southgate’s backroom staff for England at Euro 2024.
Many have noticed former Chelsea star striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the dugout alongside Southgate.
After retiring from playing in 2008, Holland international Hasselbaink then moved into coaching.
He was announced as the new manager of Belgian Second Division club Royal Antwerp in 2013, and in 2014 he was appointed by English Football League Two side Burton Albion.
Hasselbaink worked with Queens Park Rangers from 2015 to 2016, after which he moved to Northampton Town and after had a second spell at Burton.
It was in March 2023 when Hasselbaink was reunited with his old Middlesbrough team-mate Gareth Southgate in the England set up.
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink works as an assistant coach for England,
One element of former striker Hasselbaink’s job is to work closely with the Three Lions forwards as an attacking coach.
Southgate and Hasselbaink were team-mates from their days playing for Middlesbrough.
Southgate said about Hasselbaink on the announcement: “Jimmy will bring a presence. He’s got great energy. He has a high interest in the tactical side of the game – he’s typically Dutch, a student. I think he’s going to bring a lot to our coaching team.”
Dutchman Hasselbaink was caught in a case of split loyalties after Ollie Waktins’ dramatic winning goal against Holland.
The Aston Villa striker fired England into the Euro 2024 final with a clinical strike in the 90th minute.
As Watkins, 28, scored the winner the Three Lions bench erupted into celebration.
This included coach Hasselbaink, 52, who ran up to celebrate with Gareth Southgate.
However, Hasselbaink‘s smile quickly faded after realizing he was celebrating a goal against his native side.
The moment was caught on camera and fans could not help but find it amusing.
One fan posted: “Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink remembering he’s Dutch midway through the celebrations.”
A second wrote: “It’s hilarious to me that Hasselbaink didn’t know how to react when England scored the last-minute goal against his native country.”
Hasselbaink moved to Premier League side Leeds United in 1997 but was bought by Spanish club Atlético Madrid for £10million in 1999.
The striker was then signed by Chelsea in 2000 for a club record fee of £15million.
He scored 69 goals for the Blues in 136 appearances, and was top scorer for three of the four years he was at the club.
In 2002 he suffered a hamstring injury and worked as a pundit for ITV‘s 2002 Fifa World Cup coverage while he recovered.
In July 2004, Hasselbaink signed for Middlesborough before transferring to Charlton Athletic in 2006.
He then moved to Cardiff City but left the club in 2008.
Hasselbaink has also represented the Netherlands, earning 23 caps and scoring nine goals for the national team.
