The FA have confirmed the appointment of Roy Hodgson as England manager on a four-year deal, seeing him through to the end of Euro 2016.
Hodgson will remain in charge of West Brom for the final two games of the Premier League season, although he will be released for England duties as required.
"The Football Association is delighted to announce the appointment of RoyHodgson as England manager," said an FA statement.
"Joining from West Bromwich Albion, Hodgson has agreed a four-year deal to become the full-time manager of the Three Lions.
"Hodgson, aged 64, who has won a total of eight league titles in a distinguished career, and coached the national teams of Switzerland, Finland and the United Arab Emirates, met with FA officials at Wembley on Monday.
"Having taken Switzerland to the FIFA World Cup in 1994 - their first Finals competition for 28 years - Hodgson also achieved a FIFA ranking of third in the world as well as successfully qualifying the team for Euro 96.
"His former clubs include Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers, Grasshoppers, FC Copenhagen, Fulham and Liverpool. He has also managed in Norway and Sweden.
"In addition, he has been a regular member of FIFA and UEFA's technical study groups at tournaments.
"Along with his vast experience of international and European football, Hodgson is the only English manager currently working in the top flight to have won the League Managers' Association manager of the year award."
West Brom are now stepping up their search to find a new manager after Hodgson opted to end his 15-month spell in charge.
Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace said: "Roy's appointment as England manager is obviously disappointing news for the club as we would have liked him to sign a new contract, which was in the process of negotiation, and remain as our head coach.
"But we understand Roy's desire to take the England job and he will leave us after the Arsenal game on May 13 with our best wishes.
"Of course, with Euro 2012 around the corner, we appreciate that some of Roy's focus over the next 12 days will be on England matters.
"But we are delighted he will be seeing the season out with us.
"With the help of the coaching staff, he will prepare the team in his usual, meticulous manner as we finish what has already been a successful season."
Peace added: "The board will now concentrate on the important task of appointing a new head coach to continue our project as we prepare for a third successive season in the Barclays Premier League.
"We did not want Roy to leave and he will be a tough act to follow.
"But I want to reassure our supporters that we will do everything possible to identify and appoint the right head coach for this football club.
"I would also like to thank the FA Chairman, David Bernstein, for the sensitive and professional manner in which he has liaised with me in bringing about Roy's appointment.
"Everyone here would like to wish Roy, The FA and England all the best for Euro 2012 and beyond."
Update:
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what do you think?
Phillip Holland
Good luck Roy - you`re gonna need it ....
Carl Arthur
Shocking !!! Not the right man at all in my opinion. FA clearly couldn't be arsed to talk to the right man and went for the cheaper option. I was looking forward to the Euro's but i'm not so sure now.
Ken Smith
Is this your 'right man? 'During the case, Redknapp admitted he was practically illiterate: "I write like a two-year-old and I can't spell ... I can't work a computer, I don't know what an email is, I can't, I have never sent a fax and I've never even sent a text message. I have a big problem, I can't write so I don't keep anything. I am the most disorganised person, I am ashamed to say, in the world ... You talk to anybody at the football club. I don't write. I couldn't even fill a team sheet in"
ian
Another OLD MAN we have LOST.
Simon Griffiths
Laughing stock ,, mind you we always have been !!!!
Gillian Stafford
The FA could have appointed the best manager on the planet - whoever that might be - but with the current crop of average under achieving English players it hardly matters. But good luck to Roy anyway - he's going to need it !
John Davies
bye,bye England your World ranking has just gone down by 20+ after the Euro's England will be a laughing stock - mind you with this appointment they already are - an old man in charge who has won?????????????????????????SFA.
Barry Simms
New Blood, New Blood wanted in OLD TEAM ALSO, out with the old!! in with the new. all you old Jerries your HISTORY. time to hang up yer BOOTS
Robert Thompson
"Old Man" - yes right but at least he speaks English!! At last the FA have made a sensible decision. He was never given a chance at Liverpool - other than that his record speaks for itself - perfect choice!!!
Paul Martin
Apart from the Italian, didn't all the England managers speak English. He couldn't do the job at Liverpool, that was obvious. The same applies here, he just fits in with the old fogies at the FA. His record does speak for itself, nothing to shout about.
Ken Smith
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
richardvaug2562
A good solid choice, the press need to lay off him and let him Po coach the team. You never no the players might actually play for him.
Aaron Smith
A big mistake if you ask me. His last big job was liverpool and look what a mess he made of that!!!
Tony Owen
They say that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Get ready the FA for some more humble pie.
Tina Taylor
Good luck to him, I would have preferred Harry Redknapp but can understand why the FA went for Roy instead. He was never given a chance at Liverpool, but look at what he achieved with Fulham before that. I just hope he will start looking beyond the premiership for players, there are at least 4 leagues to choose from.............maybe then we would get players who want to play for their country!
Neil C
Rabbit and head light spring to mind. Not sure if he can motivate players, will have to wait and see!!
Colin Ringwood
hit the ground running roy looks like your going to need all the luck in the world ,the media will be gunning for you
IRONSTINE
Ah bless him! the FA have found someone who suits them.
Rob Miles
Nice to see an ENGLISH MAN in charge of ENGLAND'S National Team, He was excellent for WBA, and I wish hime every success managing England good luck Roy Roy's The Boy
Martin Massey
All you read is OLD MAN, WRONG MAN you don't get experience being a spring chicken, nobody mentioned Harry until he was at spurs what's his age 21. and as for Roy at Liverpool where are they under Kenny in the premier, Roy will do a good job and you lot will have to eat your words.
Rob Shaw
This appointment is such a cop out. The FA bottled giving it to the tax dodger and now we are stuck with someone they didn't have to shell out money for
DJ Hones
2:59pm on 1/5/2012
FA have said Roy's got the job "until the end of Euro 2016" Don't they mean until the end of Euro 2012. Joking aside Good luck Roy & Come on England