Steve Holland, the former Chelsea and England assistant coach, has been dismissed from his role as manager of Yokohama F. Marinos after only four months at the helm.

Holland spent nearly a decade at Stamford Bridge, serving as both coach and assistant manager under a string of high-profile names, including André Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo, José Mourinho and, finally, Antonio Conte. He left the club in 2017 to focus solely on his duties with the England national team, where he worked as Gareth Southgate’s trusted deputy.

Since Holland's departure, Chelsea have not lifted the Premier League title — a fact which, while not directly attributed to his exit, highlights the value of his influence behind the scenes. During his time at the club, Holland was widely credited with helping sustain the winning mentality and consistent culture that bridged the frequent changes in management.

Speaking in 2015 about Chelsea’s mindset, Holland said:

"At this club, we don’t really do draws. The objective is always to win — that has never changed. A draw is not a fulfilling feeling. The standard at Chelsea is that we approach every match hoping and expecting to win. That’s what defines the club and why it has enjoyed success over the years. Dropping points is never accepted lightly, and no one walks around laughing or joking when it happens. We recognise it and understand it must change — and change quickly."

Following his stint with the national side, Holland took his first step into senior management in December, when he was appointed head coach of Yokohama F. Marinos — part of the City Football Group — ahead of the 2025 J-League campaign.

However, his tenure proved both brief and disappointing. With Yokohama languishing in the relegation zone and securing only one victory in eleven league matches, the club made the decision to part ways with him this weekend. Curiously, the side had shown contrasting form on the continental stage, having advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite.

True to his own words, when the winning stops, change inevitably follows.

Although this chapter has ended abruptly, it is unlikely to mark the final step in Holland’s coaching career.