Nigel Worthington has been formally appointed as manager of Northern Ireland on a short-term contract.
Ballymena born-Worthington (45), succeeds Lawrie Sanchez who left to take over the reins at Fulham on a full-time basis after initially being named caretaker boss.
Sanchez helped to revitalise the Northern Ireland team and they are in with a chance of qualifying for a major championship for the first time in over 20 years.
They head Group F on 13 points in the Euro 2008 qualifiers following their superb victory against Sweden in March.
Worthington is well known to Northern Ireland supporters as the holder of 66 International caps and as a former captain.
He is a former manager of Norwich City FC whom he guided to the FA Premiership as Champions in 2004. He was Nationwide manager of the Season in 2004 and manager of the Month three times during that same season.
In addition, he gained international coaching experience working with the Northern Ireland U21 squad in 2000, coached previously at Blackpool .
His playing career included spells with Notts County , Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United and Stoke City.
"When your country comes knocking there can only be one answer and I am honoured to be given this opportunity, the nature of which is unusual," said Worthington.
"It is never easy to step in midstream but qualifying from this group will be my number one priority in the next six months and it is a challenge I shall relish," he added.
Worthington, who has been appointed manager until November 30, has selected the current first team coach at Southampton, Glynn Snodin, and the goalkeeping coach from Bolton Wanderers, Fred Barber, to join his staf.
Snodin played 600 league and cup matches for Barnsley , Hearts, Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster Rovers. Apart from his present position at Southampton , he coached at Charlton Athletic and Doncaster Rovers.
Speaking on the appointments Jim Boyce, president of the IFA said: "These are six very difficult matches but we have every confidence that Nigel and his support staff will do his utmost to ensure qualification. I call on the Northern Ireland supporters to get behind Nigel Worthington."
1961: Born, November 4 in Ballymena, County Antrim.
1980: Named Northern Ireland Young Player of the Year while playing for Ballymena United.
1981: Joins Notts County.
1984: Joins Sheffield Wednesday; Wins first of 66 Northern Ireland caps.
1991: Wins League Cup with Owls.
1994: Joins Leeds.
1996: Joins Stoke.
1997: Joins Blackpool as player-manager.
1999: Resigns as Blackpool manager.
2000: Takes over as Norwich manager after brief spell as assistant under previous boss Bryan Hamilton.
2002: Norwich beaten on penalties in First Division play-off final by Birmingham.
2004: Wins promotion to the Premiership with Norwich.
2005: Norwich relegated.
2006: October — Sacked by Norwich with club 17th in the Championship.
2007: April — Undertakes short stint as Leicester caretaker manager.
June 1 — Appointed Northern Ireland manager.
