West Bromwich Albion coach Roy Hodgson has been appointed the England manager, signing a four year deal that will take him through Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The 64-year-old journeyman, who has won eight league titles in a managerial career spanning 36 years, will take charge of his first match at Wembley for a June 2 friendly against Belgium.
"We hope to give England the kind of football team they've been hoping for since 1966," Hodgson said, referring to England's only World Cup victory.
Hodgson has won praise for his ability to turn the fortunes of smaller teams, taking Switzerland to their first World Cup finals in 28 years in 1994.
FA chairman David Bernstein said of several possibilities of replacing Fabio Capello, who resigned in February, "Roy emerged as the standout candidate."
Hodgson had particularly impressed during his stints at Fulham, whom he guided to their first European final in 2010, and at current club West Brom, whom he has anchored in mid-table.
Bernstein refused to comment on the candidacy of Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Rednapp, but said only one club - Hodgson's West Brom - had been approached.
"This is the first time the FA has appointed a manager with any international experience," he said.
"He can walk into any training ground across the world and command respect wherever he goes."
Hodgson's former clubs also include Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers, Grasshoppers, FC Copenhagen, and Liverpool. He has also managed in Norway and Sweden.
