Tony Mowbray as confirmed as Middlesbrough's new manager on Tuesday with Mark Venus his assistant.
The club held a press conference to formalise the appointment of the ex-Hibernian, Celtic and West Brom boss - who had been most fans' favourite to land the job since Gordon Strachan's departure.
Born in nearby Saltburn, he became the club captain when he was 22 years old and remains a popular figure on the terraces and behind the scenes where he will now inherit a squad of players he ought to know well.
Several of the Boro squad worked with Mowbray at Parkhead, where he was sacked after only eight months in charge after slipping a long way off the pace in the title race.
Middlesbrough interviewed other leading candidates but chose Mowbray despite having to work out compensation issues with his former employers.