Gary Speed has been confirmed as the new manager of the Welsh national football team.
The 85-times capped former Wales midfielder leaves his role as boss of Coca Cola Championship side Sheffield United with immediate effect to take up the post vacated by John Toshack earlier in the Euro 2012 campaign.
The Blades have received compensation from the Football Association of Wales and Speed has signed a three-and-a-half year deal at the helm of his country, taking a big pay cut in the process.
Brian Flynn had stood in for two games as caretaker following Toshack’s exit, but it is former national captain Speed – whose senior managerial role at Sheffield United was his first - who the FAW have opted for to guide their young squad until after the 2014 World Cup.
Speed, who is the 11th man to manage Wales, only became Sheffield United boss earlier this season and has thanked the club for facilitating his accepting of the Wales job after he made it clear he wanted to take on the challenge.
He said when presented by the FAW on Tuesday afternoon: "It's something that's very difficult to turn down when your country comes calling. I'm a very proud man at this moment to be asked to be the manager of Wales.
"I was disappointed to leave Sheffield United because I feel I had a job to do there and was fully committed but obviously when your country comes calling it's a tough decision you have to make. I feel in my heart it's the right one.
"To be fair to them they've been fantastic throughout and made the decision really easy for me.
"I'd like to thank Sheffield United for the opportunity I've been given there both as a coach under Kevin Blackwell and then as a manager."
Blades CEO Trevor Birch told his club’s website: "This has been a difficult decision for Gary. After only four months in the job he felt he had very much unfinished business but ultimately was ruled by his heart and decided to take an opportunity which may never have come his way again.
"We are obviously disappointed and this would not have been entertained had it been another club side but having received the approach we felt obliged to give Gary the option of discussing the position with the Welsh FA.
“We didn't want to lose him but we have to respect Gary's decision given the uniqueness of the opportunity. This is a prestigious appointment and we wish him every success and thank him for his contribution to the club over the last three years."
Wales have lost all three of their opening Euro 2012 qualifying games, with their next competitive fixture against England in March. However, Speed's first game in charge will be against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in the new Four Nations tournament the previous month.