As expected, former Coventry City midfielder Michael O'Neill has been made the manager of Northern Ireland.
O'Neill had managed in Scotland and at Shamrock Rovers taking them to two League Of Ireland titles and the Europa League group stages where they faced sides like Tottenham Hotspur.
He takes up the role on February 1st 2012 and was appointed ahead of former City boss Iain Dowie and Jim Magilton.
I am honoured to be chosen to manage my country," said O'Neill to BBC Northern Ireland.
"I'm a proud Northern Irishman who was fortunate enough to win 33 senior caps and it was always an ambition to manage my country.
"To be entrusted with the role early in my managerial career is quite humbling but I am confident that we can make progress.
"Northern Ireland has a strong football tradition but one that needs to be refreshed with some more contemporary success.
"That is my primary objective - to restore a sense of belief and pride in what it means to represent Northern Ireland so that our players will want only to play for their country - that is how it should be.
"There is a huge amount of work to be done but with the right direction and the necessary passion good progress can be made.
The board and the Chief Executive have a clear plan for the future and have given me responsibility to set about the task of renewal within the context of a long-term plan.
"At the same time, in the interests of everyone involved, most particularly our supporters, my job is to work with the players to sustain a competitive performance throughout the qualifying phase of the 2014 World Cup Finals."
Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive of the Irish FA, said O'Neill was "the stand out choice from an excellent field".
"The selection panel was very impressed with his thoughts and plans for football in Northern Ireland over the coming years."