Lawrie Sanchez has been appointed manager of Fulham with an open-ended contract and has stepped down as Northern Ireland coach, the Premier League club confirmed today.

Sanchez was appointed as a caretaker manager on April 10th after Fulham sacked Chris Coleman following a disappointing run of results that dragged them into the relegation dogfight.
   
Sanchez has since steered them to safety, helped by last weekend's win over a re-shuffled Liverpool side, and has been rewarded with what the west London club called "an indefinite, rolling contract."

Chairman Mohamed Al Fayed told their Web site (www.fulhamfc.com): "I entrusted this club to Lawrie Sanchez to make sure we play Premiership football next season.
   
"He delivered what he had promised, and during that time I became impressed with his steely determination and focus."
   
Explaining his move, Sanchez said: "During my last month or so at Fulham I became increasingly enthused by working daily with players on the training pitch, and the satisfaction that I felt at seeing the end result on a weekly basis."
   
Sanchez leaves Northern Ireland, who have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup finals, top of  qualifying group F for the 2008 European championship.
   
"We would be the first to congratulate him on his appointment as their new manager and to recognise the outstanding job he has done for Northern Ireland football and the IFA," the Northern Ireland's FA (IFA) said in a statement.