Steve Holend, who himself was a player at the club until 2014, started his managerial career with the reserves.
He emphasised how it “echoed Klopp joining Liverpool” giving the Liverpool fan inspiration to want to take on the challenge, where he enjoyed a 9 year stay as head coach.
The newly promoted Cheltenham Civil Service men’s first team manager has now entered his second season in charge since taking the reins at the start of the 25/26 season.
The first team have endured a mixed start to the 26/27 season accumulating seven points from their first seven games in what Holden described as “a new, young side” who are continuing to work hard to “learn and understand the best way to play.”
Currently sat 11th in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League division one Holden suggested that they are a “much better team than what the table suggests” and that “the most important thing is that there is more to come” from the team.
“Last week was a really proud moment, not just fort me but for everyone involved” Holden stated after his side battled to a 1-0 win away at a “really strong” Hardwicke team.
However, the first team manager was sure to acknowledge the ups and downs of non-league football and how fortunes can change week from week.
“Their keeper made a fantastic save, but the same went for us.”
We played really well the two weeks before and got nothing to show for it. That is football.”
Holend was optimistic about the weekend to come, with the first team due to face Stonehouse Town reserves.
A confident Holend was adamant that “if they deliver the performance that we have in the last few weeks then we will win the game of football.”
Still being weary of the competitiveness his team are bound to face, “we’ve got to show up and put in the same fight, otherwise we will come away empty handed.”
Something the boss “unconcerned” about was the attitude of his squad, “the boys have shown me we won’t be lacking for effort or fight”.
“The atmosphere at training has been buoyant, everyone is positive and looking forward.”
He commended his team for sticking with him.
“We’re so close to turning a corner and I think last week has started to show that. The fact we got over the line makes a massive difference.”
Then delivering a statement of confidence, “am I confident we can get a result? Yes 100%.”
A season to build and improve seemed to be in the manager’s best interests over placement and honours.
Holend extinguishing any pressure from his side on his young team, stressing they have time to adapt.
“A lot of teams have been together three, four, five years. It isn’t going to happen overnight.”
Directing his targets at exposure to the team.
“I want people knocking on my door having heard we’re a goof football side and wanting to play for us.
“That is a sign you’re going in the right direction.”
A rebuild with full confidence and backing of the club that imagines a new era for Holend’s men.
Follow all the latest news in our live blog
