Michael Carrick has explained that “there’s a reason” behind his decision to bring Steve Holland to Old Trafford as his Manchester United assistant head coach.
Steve Holland had made a name for himself as second in command under former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate during their time with the Three Lions.
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Both Sir Gareth Southgate and Holland were widely hailed for their work with England after the Three Lions’ progression at major international tournaments.
Southgate left his role at England after Euro 2024 and Holland went on to manage J1 League side Yokohama F Marinos before he was sacked as head coach in 2025.
Michael Carrick turned to Holland for his Manchester United coaching staff after the 44-year-old Red Devils legend was appointed interim head coach in January.
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Michael Carrick took up his interim head coach role in the Old Trafford hot seat after Ruben Amorim was finally sacked as Manchester United manager only last month.
The United legend’s appointment of Sir Gareth Southgate’s former right-hand man raised eyebrows, owing to Carrick and Steve Holland never working together before.
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However, the former England assistant manager has now been praised for his behind-the-scenes work with the United first-team squad since his arrival at Old Trafford.
Speaking to Mark Chapman for BBC Sport, Carrick admitted that he was not all too familiar with Holland ahead of their dynamic over the last five United matches.
“I didn’t really know Steve personally an awful lot,” he said.
“I thought it would come together nicely and was balanced and there’s a reason why I wanted to bring Steve in.”
Man Utd legend Michael Carrick explains the importance of Steve Holland in his backroom coaching staff
United have won the first four of their five Premier League matches under the interim managerial reign of Carrick in the post-Ruben Amorim era of the club.
The Red Devils have not lost a Premier League fixture under Carrick, who oversaw United’s late 1-1 draw against West Ham at the London Stadium last week.
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Carrick added that Holland’s experience has been invaluable to him and the rest of the United coaching staff, whom he brought along with him to Old Trafford.
“Steve – with his experience in so many ways… Chelsea, with [a] change of managers and different styles of managers and top, top players, and England,” he explained.
“All the staff are able to cope [with] being around the environment and I think that’s so important.”
United will return to Premier League action on Monday evening and the Red Devils will face Everton at Goodison Park for an 8pm kick-off time in the UK.
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