Steve Holland, the former England assistant manager, has been appointed as the new manager of Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos.

Unemployed since quitting his post as Gareth Southgate's right-hand man earlier in the year, the 54-year-old was part of Southgate's backroom staff that helped lead the national team between 2016 and 2024.

Together with Southgate, Holland helped England reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and reach two successive European Championship finals.

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Southgate had been linked with becoming the new Manchester United manager and the Manchester Evening News reported that former sporting director Dan Ashworth was pushing for his appointment.

Instead, United CEO Omar Berrada pushed for Ruben Amorim, who has since replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hotseat, and Southgate has hinted he may move away from football management.

The expectation would have been that Holland would have followed Southgate to United but he has now decided to step up to take a managerial role, having also previously worked as an assistant at Chelsea under Guus Hiddink, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo, Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

Ironically, his move to Japan will see Holland work under the City Football Group umbrella, with the two parties partnering back in 2014.

After finishing ninth in the previous J1 League season and dismissing previous manager Harry Kewell in July, Marinos are eager to climb the table.

Speaking about his new role, Holland expressed his enthusiasm on the club’s official website: "I am excited to come to Japan, wonderful country and honoured to have the opportunity to work in J.League, the best league in Asia.

"Our mission is to compete for titles again, and we will pursue playing an aggressive, attacking football. I aim to build a team that consistently competes at the highest level, defined by strong competitiveness and unity."