The Crewe board had hoped that Holland would stay on at the Alex in some capacity but it now seems that Hollands 18 year association with the Railwaymen is now over.
Holland was believed to have been interviewed at the Britannia on Tuesday over the vacant Academy Director at the Premiership club.
Holland's CV will impress the Stoke board especially with what Holland has done at the Alex academy over the years. Holland guided the Railwaymen to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals where they lost to Middlesborough in 2003.
A possible move up the D Road for Holland could have serious implications for the Railwaymen as some youngsters could follow Holland down the same road.