'We can all learn from Southgate & Holland'

Steve Holland was Gareth Southgate's right-hand man for his entire reign as England boss

Stoke City boss Steven Schumacher says Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland have left him and football's other young English bosses a real legacy to learn from.

The 40-year-old Potters head coach has made a successful start to club management, having won promotion from League One with Plymouth Argyle, then righting a sinking ship at the Bet365 Stadium to keep Stoke in the Championship.

But, although disappointed, like any English football fan, at his country's failure to get over the line in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday night, he still believes Southgate - and his number two Holland - have had an inspirational effect.

"English football is in a great place," Schumacher, who played under Holland for Crewe Alexandra, told BBC Radio Stoke.

"The foreign coaches over here have added good dimensions to the game but there are a lot of good young English coaches out there - and all of us will have learnt from them [Southgate and Holland], for sure.

"Compared to where we were when Gareth and Steve took over, it is like night and day."

'Almost the best England manager ever'

Following Sunday's defeat by Spain, Southgate took less than 48 hours to announce he was stepping down as England boss after eight years in charge.

"It actually wasn't too much of a surprise to find out he'd gone," Schumacher added.

"I always felt if we didn't win this tournament Gareth would fancy a new challenge but he has done an unbelievable job considering where England were as a team, the lack of connection with the fans when he took over and the pressure of doing that job.

"We've reached one World Cup semi-final and lost in two Euro finals - once on penalties and the other to a goal in the last few minutes against the best team in the tournament. And it all could so easily have been completely different. But for very small margins, he could have been the best England manager ever.

"He certainly has all the right traits to aspire to about being both a good man - and a good manager."

Schumacher, who took his first steps in coaching alongside his former team-mate and fellow Liverpudlian Ryan Lowe, first at Bury, then at Argyle, was promoted to the Pilgrims' hot seat in December 2021 when Lowe left for Preston.

Originally intending to go to Deepdale alongside Lowe, Schumacher was persuaded to stay at Plymouth.

But, just prior to that, they had both shared an online video session with Southgate.

Steven Schumacher (left) was one of Steve Holland's first signings as Crewe boss in 2007

"I met Gareth on the pro licence course once or twice," he said. "And he then gave me and Ryan Lowe an hour of his time on a Zoom call.

"We asked him all sorts of questions about leading and decision making - and he was there for us. A top man and a top manager."

Schumacher has even closer ties with Holland, who moved on to Stoke to become the Potters Academy boss in 2009 after his first managerial job went sour at Crewe.

"I was one of Steve's first signings when he became Crewe manager and Dario Gradi stepped behind the scenes," said Schumacher.

"It was his first chance as a manager and he was a lot younger but you could see even then what a brilliant coach he was and his amazing attention to detail. [That's] something I've picked up from him.

"And I've had conversations with him since I've become a manager. He's shown me how he plans and designs his sessions - and he is fantastic.

"I've got a really good relationship with him and his CV speaks for itself. Where he's been and what he's done in the game is unbelievable. It'll be fascinating to see where they pop up next."

Steven Schumacher was talking to BBC Radio Stoke's Lucas Yeomans on the Potters' pre-season tour to Cork