Sam Allardyce has explained why Steve Holland’s appointment at Manchester United was a “wise choice” from Michael Carrick amid the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick had never worked with Steve Holland in a coaching capacity ahead of the Manchester United legend’s return to Old Trafford as interim head coach.
The 44-year-old former Middlesbrough manager appointed Holland as his assistant head coach after Man Utd had sacked Ruben Amorim as Red Devils head coach.
Holland had previously worked alongside Sir Gareth Southgate for England as Three Lions assistant manager ahead of his arrival in Carrick’s United coaching staff.
If not Michael Carrick… WHO ELSE?
Can you name a good available alternative to Michael Carrick you actually want?
Sam Allardyce thinks Steve Holland’s coaching experience is a valuable resource for Michael Carrick at Man Utd
Outside of his key role for England under Sir Gareth Southgate, Steve Holland has had coaching experience at the likes of Stoke City, Chelsea and Crewe Alexandra.
The 55-year-old former England assistant manager has been praised for his impact on the Manchester United coaching staff under Michael Carrick since January.
Holland has helped reinforce the Red Devils’ defensive stability and Carrick has been able to tap into the vast coaching experience of the Man Utd assistant head coach.
Speaking on his podcast, Sam Allardyce explained that Holland’s coaching experience has been a massive benefit for Carrick and Co at Old Trafford.
“You know, straight back to a straight back four,” he said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“Yeah. Listen, I’m a lover of every system that works. I’m not a lover of a system that doesn’t work and persist in it. And I think [Ruben] Amorim persisted in a system that didn’t work at Man United.
“I didn’t think, even after a year, when they tried to change it and get more players in, so it could try and suit the system that he plays, it never, never [worked], as soon as Michael Carrick took over, I thought it was a wise choice with Steve Holland.
“Wise, wise choice. I mean, the man’s coached in the Premier League at Chelsea for years and years and years.”
YOU are Michael Carrick – Pitch why you should be permanent Man Utd manager to Ineos
Give us your two-line pitch…
Sam Allardyce on Steve Holland’s dynamic with Sir Gareth Southgate and his impact at Man Utd so far
‘Big’ Sam touched on Holland’s role at England alongside Southgate and insisted that the former Three Lions assistant manager has replicated that now at Man Utd.
“He was right alongside Gareth at England,” he continued.
“So, his experience and the pair of them [Holland and Carrick] together have really stabilised Manchester United and got them playing.
“I mean, he’s made changes, he’s brought players in that were brought back.”
Man Utd will now visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening and the Red Devils will face Chelsea in their next Premier League clash.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
