Ex-England assistant Holland sacked by Japanese club

Steve Holland replaced former Liverpool and Leeds United midfielder Harry Kewell as Marinos manager

Former England assistant manager Steve Holland has been sacked by Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos after only four months as their boss.

Holland won just one of his 11 league games in charge and has been dismissed with the club 19th in the 20 team J-League.

"Yokohama F. Marinos announce today that the club have decided to part ways with Steve Holland, who was appointed manager in the beginning of the 2025 season," the club said.

"To fill the void, head coach Patrick Kisnorbo will serve as an interim manager for the time being."

Holland spent eight years as assistant manager to former England boss Gareth Southgate and helped the Three Lions to runners-up spots at the European Championship in 2021 and 2024.

The 54-year-old's dismissal comes before Yokohama F. Marinos play Urawa Reds in the league and then Al-Nassr, who have Cristiano Ronaldo among their ranks, in the Asian Champions League quarter-finals.

The Marinos finished in ninth place last season and have not won the title since 2022.

The club are part of the City Football Group, which also owns Manchester City, New York City FC and Melbourne City FC.