England draft in former Chelsea coach Jones to boost Euro 2024 bid
Chris Jones: Worked alongside Steve Holland at Chelsea for seven years
Written by Simon Austin — October 17, 2023
ENGLAND have drafted in former Chelsea and Everton Head of Performance Chris Jones to help boost their Euro 2024 bid.
Gareth Southgate’s side can qualify for next summer’s Euros in Germany if they beat Italy at Wembley tonight. And Jones, who worked at Chelsea for 12 years before assisting Frank Lampard at Derby County, Chelsea (twice) and Everton, has been part of their camp during the international break.
He will remain with the side on a consultancy basis until at least the end of Euro 2024.
England have been light on the performance side following the departures of GM of Performance Bryce Cavanagh and Performance Lead Ben Rosenblatt earlier this year.
Steve Kemp was promoted from Head Physio to Head of Performance, Medicine and Nutrition in July, while Hailu Theodros, previously of Chelsea, joined in May as Physical Performance Coach.
Jones knows England assistant Steve Holland well from their time together at Chelsea. Holland was reserve team boss and then first-team coach there from 2009 to 2016, while Jones worked in the Academy and then first team as a fitness coach.
Interestingly, Jones’ job title at both Everton and Chelsea (where he assisted Lampard) evolved to performance/ first-team coach and England believe he will provide an important bridge between coaching and performance.
England are now using several performance consultants with the men’s senior side: not only Jones, but also nutritionist Mike Naylor and culture specialist Owen Eastwood.
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