What is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s role with England? Three Lions ‘need’ Dutch coach in camp ahead of Euro 2024 final
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been a regular fixture on fans' screens since his arrival in England in 1997.
The Dutch striker was a feared goalscorer during his playing days, as he picked up the Premier League Golden Boot award twice, one each with Leeds and Chelsea.
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Hasselbaink boasts 127 goals in the English top flight, and also had an impressive international record, finding the net nine times in 23 appearances for the Netherlands.
Since hanging up his boots, he has made the transition into coaching, guiding Burton Albion to League One for the first time in 2015 before taking charge of Queens Park Rangers later that year.
Elsewhere, the 52-year-old has worked as a pundit as part of Sky Sports' football coverage.
But Hasselbaink's latest role has seen him join Gareth Southgate in Germany for Euro 2024 and he is now set to be on the touchline in a major tournament final...
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What is Hasselbaink's role with England?
Hasselbaink joined the Three Lions' coaching staff in March 2023, with his main responsibility believed to be helping England's strikers at Euro 2024, including Bayern Munich star Harry Kane.
The former Middlesbrough hero replaced former coach Chris Powell in the international set-up, who chose to focus on his role in charge of Tottenham's academy after his contract expired.
And Hasselbaink's appointment was welcomed by Southgate, with the pair's relationship dating back to their time together as teammates at Boro.
The national team boss said of his arrival at the time: "You’d like to have an English staff across the board, but there is strength in having other personalities as well.
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"Jimmy will bring a presence. He’s got great energy. He has a high interest in the tactical side of the game - he’s typically Dutch, a student. I think he’s going to bring a lot to our coaching team."
It seems that Hasselbaink has gone on to bring a lot to the team and he has received praise from some England stars at Euro 2024.
Phil Foden was asked ahead of the semi-final against the Netherlands whether the squad have been wary of speaking to the Dutchman due to his connections.
However, Foden told talkSPORT: “No, I think we need him!
“I think we need him for the work that he’s been doing. Yeah, we definitely need him!”
Trent Alexander-Arnold reinforced the importance of Hasselbaink in the camp and spoke highly of the coach.
"Obviously he was a top player when he was playing so he knows the game, he understands the game, he can relate to us as players," Alexander-Arnold told PA.
"He knows the pressures and everything that comes with being a footballer and in tournament football too, so he is good to have around.
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"He works a lot with the attacking players, more than anyone, helps us with the penalties and things so he is a great addition to the backroom staff."
Hasselbaink's role within the England set-up has also seen him become the latest example of the FA's drive to improve diversity in football, by giving opportunities to more black coaches within England's teams.
This initiative has also seen Chelsea legend Ashley Cole and former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott join the national team's under-21 coaching staff.
The ex-Atletico Madrid man has already witnessed history while working with the Three Lions team, with Kane becoming England's all-time top goalscorer shortly after his arrival.
And Hasselbaink is now using his expertise to try and help Southgate's side make history, ideally with a first-ever European Championship title this weekend.
talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday as England bid to make history against Spain. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the build-up.