Pat Roe will assume control of the Laois U21 footballers following a county board meeting on Tuesday night after beating off competition from a number of candidates.
Roe, who has extensive managerial experience at senior level with Offaly, Wexford and Carlow got the nod ahead of former Laois team-mate Leo Turley, 2003 Leinster SFC winner Chris Conway and the Portlaoise duo of Mick Lillis and Mark Kavanagh, who were on the same ticket.
It will be the first time Roe, who has made no secret of his interest in the job, will take charge of a Laois team having been overlooked on a number of occasions for the senior post in the county.
"I took a year out last year and I had thought about coming back," Roe admitted.
"I'm selective over what I do and when my club [The Heath] contacted me to see if I wanted my name to be put forward, I was certainly interested in the job."