A double Dutch agent, the camp's 'drill sergeant' and BREATHING coaches: Inside the team behind the England team plotting a path to Euro 2024 glory

They are the backroom team so integral to England's success here in Germany, and their number is just about equal to the 26-man squad tasked with performing on the pitch.

Be it Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney, Kobbie Mainoo or Marc Guehi, the stars on the pitch have grabbed the attention of the country, but a lot of work has gone into things off of it too.

Gareth Southgate has built his backroom staff with care, and they are now once again on the verge of delivering history for the team and the nation.

Spain lay in the way, but England will approach the final with hope, fully prepared for what awaits them. 

From coaches to analysts to nutritionists, chefs and doctors, every base is covered. Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the team behind the team.

Steve Holland (assistant manager)

The trusted lieutenant who has a big say in tactics and team selection. He is also the brains behind a lot of the penalty-kick preparation, handing the manager a detailed dossier before the shootout versus Switzerland.

He was by Southgate's side with the Under-21s and followed him to the senior set-up in 2016.

His non-League playing career was cut short and, aged 21, he turned to coaching. He started at Crewe's academy but made his name at Chelsea as assistant boss to the likes of Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo, Rafa Benitez, Guus Hiddink, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

Awarded an MBE in 2022. He also works as a conduit between players, intermediaries and Southgate.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (coach)

Best known as a Premier League goalscorer, the former Netherlands striker joined Southgate's team in 2023 and is a lively presence on the training ground.

He played with Southgate at Middlesbrough before going into management, most notably with Burton Albion and QPR. As Marc Guehi says: 'Jimmy brings everything! He brings a lot of laughs. He's very confident. He likes a little bit of a joke and he brings the positive energy around the camp and makes people smile.'

He also does a lot of finishing work with the strikers.

Paul Nevin (coach)

A former Yeovil striker and currently assistant boss at Strasbourg, he worked with Southgate in the FA's Elite Coach Placement Programme.

He has been a coach at Norwich, Brighton and West Ham and started working with England's senior side in 2021. Very hands-on in training and can be seen heavily involved in setting up and leading sessions.

Martyn Margetson (goalkeeping coach)

The Welshman is vocal and energetic when putting the likes of Jordan Pickford through their paces here in Germany.

He joined the England set-up under Sam Allardyce but stayed on under Southgate. He made 50 league appearances for Manchester City and won one Wales cap.

John McDermott (technical director)

He looks after coaching, coach education and player pathways and is here with the squad in Blankenhain.

He made his name at Spurs, where he oversaw all teams below the seniors, and has been in the top job at the FA since 2021.

Chris Jones (physical performance coach)

He was head of performance at Chelsea and Everton and worked with Frank Lampard on both occasions.

He knows assistant Holland from seven years together at Stamford Bridge and was added to the England backroom team as recently as October. He is seen during warm-ups.

Hailu Theodros (physical performance coach)

Formerly of Chelsea's academy, where he was lead athletic development coach, he joined England a year ago.

Like Jones, you will see him pre-match, at half-time and full-time, putting the players through warm-up or warm-down routines.

James Redden (physical performance coach)

Promoted to the senior set-up for the European Championship, the former Luton and Spurs employee is performance coach for England's Under-21s.

Mike Naylor (nutritionist)

His full-time role is with the England Institute of Sport but he works with England on a consultancy basis.

He will be involved in the cocktail of supplements and nutritional aids you see laid out in the dressing-room.

Tom Kenton and David Pyle (team chefs)

Pyle's day job is as a private chef to Premier League stars, while Kenton works for Everton.

Together, here in Germany, they have a have a team of local chefs behind them (including one with a Michelin star) and they inspect the food before it is served to players and staff.

Mark Williams (team doctor)

Another who worked alongside Southgate with the Under-21s. He was previously a Ministry of Defence doctor.

Steve Kemp (head of performance, medicine and nutrition)

He has worked his way through the ranks with England, starting as physio 12 years ago.

He landed the top job of head of performance 12 months ago.

Simon Spencer (lead physio)

He took over from Kemp as lead physio last year having worked with the Under-21s under Southgate.

He's key task out here has been the rehabilitation and management of Luke Shaw's fitness.

Suzanne Scott (movement therapist)

She is the pilates expert who is now a familiar face with England, and Southgate values her work incredibly highly.

The manager appreciates the calmness she brings to the group, especially during sessions in the days after a game.

Steve O'Brien, Mike Baker, Chris Mugglestone and Dan Parker (analysts)

O'Brien has more than 20 years' experience with the FA and has worked alongside Baker since 2007.

They are said to make an excellent pair who 'paint really clear pictures for the players'. Jordan Pickford has benefited from their 'cheat sheet' penalty analysis.

Ben Mortlock and Joel Harris (soft tissue therapists)

This pair are invaluable in the prevention of injuries and managing niggles and recovery.

Mortlock is a former futsal player, while Harris is a senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire. Both have worked with the FA since 2017.