Chelsea assistant Steve Holland selected as England No. 2

Gareth Southgate has picked Steve Holland as his deputy, he confirmed to theFA.com, with Chelsea's incumbent assistant first-team coach to assume full-time employment at St George's Park from next summer.

Before exclusively committing himself to the role, the Stockport-born coach will assist Southgate in March's friendly against Germany and the World Cup qualifier clash with Lithuania four days later while continuing to juggle his Chelsea duties.

Holland acted as Southgate's No. 2 for the England Under-21s since 2013.

"I am delighted to have Steve as my assistant manager," Southgate said. "We have worked very closely for three years and I have utmost respect for the way that he works, his professionalism, and the detail of his preparation.

"Our aim at the start was to encourage a young England team to play in a certain style and to develop a winning mentality; I think we certainly got a long way down the road to doing that with the U-21s."

Southgate went on to thank Chelsea for allowing Holland to work with the Three Lions on a part-time basis for some time, and letting him continue to do so in March's upcoming fixtures.

Although the ex-Middlesbrough overseer, who was appointed to a full-time gig in November, appreciates managing England's first team poses a tougher test, he believes he's forging the right group around him to succeed in one of international football's toughest jobs.

"The challenge with the seniors is a greater one but Steve's experience of working with elite players and coaches at Chelsea means he knows what a world-class team needs to look like," Southgate said.

He added: "If we want to be successful then we have to employ the best people and, for me, Steve is the best."

In addition to Holland, former Manchester City and Wales shot-stopper Martyn Margetson will continue as England's goalkeeping coach.