GARETH SOUTHGATE and right-hand man Steve Holland lead England out in the nation’s bid for Euro 2024 success.
But the relationship actually started 13 years ago following a chance meeting in leafy Surrey.
At the time, Southgate was working in youth development at the FA and was invited down to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.
Andre Villas-Boas – just 33 at the time – was the latest manager working under the ownership of Roman Abramovich.
His assistant? Holland.
And he left a lasting effect on Southgate during that training session.
So much so that when Southgate became England Under-21 coach in 2013, he offered Holland a job as assistant while still keeping his role with Chelsea.
Holland worked with Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benítez, Antonio Conte and Guus Hiddink during his Stamford Bridge days.
But he left after the 2016–17 season ended – helping Conte’s Chelsea win the Premier League title.
Southgate had been confirmed as Sam Allardyce’s replacement and he needed a familiar face as his No2.
England have played Spain 27 times in total - here is a look at every result...
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.
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Holland then joined the England set-up permanently and has been in Southgate’s dugout ever since.
Southgate said: “Firstly, I could not do it without him.
“He is a fantastic balance for me. His strengths eat up my weaknesses. He is so meticulous in his preparation.
“We have grown so close. The trust between us is immense and I could not have anybody better alongside me.
“He has won the Champions League, he has won the Premier League, everything. He is a proud Englishman like me and there is one medal missing.
“We have brilliant staff right across the board but clearly our relationship is really, really strong.”
Together, they took England to the 2018 World Cup semi-final – losing to Croatia 2-1 – in their first tournament.
It was seen as a huge sign of encouragement just two years after England were infamously knocked out of Euro 2016 by Iceland in the last 16.
England then improved three years later in the delayed Euro 2020 by reaching their first final since the World Cup win in 1966.
But it was penalty shootout heartbreak at Wembley as Italy snatched the trophy and the painful wait continued.
England found themselves in a familiar spot in the 2022 winter World Cup bowing out to France in the quarters.
But after come-from-behind victories over Slovakia, Switzerland and Netherlands, England now have their shot at glory again.
This time, it is the Spanish who await.
