Chelsea coach Steve Holland appointed England soccer team's assistant manager

Chelsea coach Steve Holland has been appointed as the assistant to England manager Gareth Southgate, the Football Association has announced.

Holland, 46, will combine his duties as assistant first-team coach at Chelsea with his England role until the end of the season, before linking up with the FA on afull-time basis.

"I am delighted to have Steve as my assistant manager," Southgate said in a statement on Wednesday.     

"We have worked very closely for three years and I have the utmost respect for the way he works, his professionalism and the detail of his preparation."

Southgate added Holland to his coaching staff when he was in charge of England's Under-21s in 2013. He thanked Chelsea for agreeing to let Holland leave.

Currently top of their 2018 World Cup qualifying group, England play Germany in a friendly in their next match on March 22.