Lawrie Sanchez has been appointed Northern Ireland soccer manager. He pipped favourite Jimmy Nicholl and will take on a two-year full-time contract.
The 44-year-old former Wimbledon player, who won three caps for the country in the 1980s, said: "I am delighted, proud and honoured to be chosen to manage Northern Ireland."
Sanchez scored Wimbledon's winner in the 1988 FA Cup final against Liverpool and guided Wycombe Wanderers to the 2001 Cup semi-finals as manager. He was also a former manager of Sligo Rovers.
He replaces Sammy McIlroy who left for Stockport County in October following a dismal Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.
Nicholl, assistant manager at Dunfermline, said of today's announcement: "Somehow, I expected it. I was willing to make financial sacrifices. But I like working where I am. Whatever the reasons for the decision, good luck to Lawrie and the players."
Sanchez, who will appoint Gerry Armstrong as his assistant, is to be officially unveiled in Belfast tomorrow lunch-time.
The new management team face a difficult World Cup qualifying campaign, which will see them face England, Wales, Austria, Poland and Azerbaijan.
Sanchez's first match in charge will be against Norway in a friendly at Windsor Park on February 18th.