Fulham have entrusted Roy Hodgson with the job of safeguarding their Premier League status.

The London club appointed the 60-year-old yesterday to fill the void created by the sacking of Lawrie Sanchez last Friday, and although Ray Lewington will continue in caretaker charge at Birmingham City today, Hodgson will watch his new team for the first time from the stands at St Andrew's. He will take up the reins tomorrow, in time for the visit of Chelsea on New Years' Day.

Hodgson has agreed a long-term contract after Fulham overlooked the claims of John Collins, a former player, and others to move decisively. The decision, driven by the club's owner, Mohamed Al Fayed, represents a diversion from previous policy. Al Fayed has favoured young coaches, such as Chris Coleman and Sanchez, but this time, with his team third from bottom in the Premier League, he has gone for experience.

He believes Hodgson's credentials are impeccable.

Though Hodgson has only fleeting experience of Premier League management from an unsuccessful spell at Blackburn Rovers in 1997-'98, he has the reputation of a European sophisticate, having taken charge of a host of leading clubs, including Malmo, Internazionale, Grasshoppers, Copenhagen and Udinese.

He is best known, though, for his exploits on the international stage. He guided Switzerland to the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96 - the nation had not previously qualified for a major tournament since the 1960s - while he nearly performed an even more remarkable feat with Finland in recent months. Having taken over at the beginning of 2006, with Finnish football at a low ebb, he revived their fortunes to such an extent that they entered the final tie for Euro 2008 with a chance of qualification.

Never before had Finland even gone close. They could not get the result they needed against Portugal, but Hodgson, having instilled discipline, defensive resolve and a team ethic, left the post with his reputation enhanced. His team conceded only seven goals in 14 ties, and it is his ability to organise teams, to make them difficult to beat, that has attracted Al Fayed.

The owner has also been taken by Hodgson's knowledge of the European markets, which will need to be exploited in January. Sanchez spent heavily in the summer but won only two Premier League matches, with a direct style of play that won few plaudits.

Several of his buys have not blossomed and Hodgson will be handed the funds to reshape the squad, although he will be asked principally to play the loan market for impact signings.

"It is my vision to combine the best of the fantastic traditions of the English Premier League with the flair and innate professionalism of the continental game, which I hope will return Fulham to its tradition of playing attractive, passing football," said Al Fayed, who also stressed his continued commitment to the club.

"I believe Roy can drive us forward," he added.

Hodgson said: "I am convinced we can take the club to a new level. I will relish the challenge." Guardian Service

Roy Hodgson: career highlights

1947: Born on August 9th

1965-75: Played with Crystal Palace and Maidstone

1976: Started managerial career with Halmstad in Sweden, winning two championships

1982: Appointed manager at Bristol City but dismissed within four months. Returned to Sweden, where he managed Orebro, and then Malmo, who won five championships

1990: Left Sweden for Switzerland, taking over at Neuchatel Xamax

1992: Manager of Switzerland, who qualified for 94 World Cup and Euro 96

1995: Appointed Inter Milan manager

1997: Became Blackburn manager

1998: Sacked by Blackburn

1999: Returned to Inter as technical director until the end of the season. Rejoined Grasshoppers

2000: Made coach of FC Copenhagen

2001: May - Took Copenhagen to the Danish title

August - Took over as coach of Serie A club Udinese

December 10th - Parted company with Udinese

2002: Appointed manager of UAE

2004: Sacked after leading side to fifth place at the Gulf Cup

May - Joined Norwegian side Viking

2005: August - Agreed to take over as manager of Finland national team

2007: November 30th - Quit after failing to qualify for Euro 2008, and immediately linked with Ireland job

December 30th - Appointed Fulham manager