Italian Fabio Capello was given the England manager's job until 2012 by the Football Association (FA) on Friday.
The FA confirmed his appointment on a four-and-a-half year contract in a statement on its Web site (www.thefa.com). The 61-year-old succeeds Steve McClaren, who was sacked last month after the team failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
Capello, the oldest man to take charge of England, will start his new job on January 7. His first match is a friendly against Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland at Wembley on February 6.
The appointment of England's second overseas coach following Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson (2001-06) was ratified by the FA board on Thursday.