Roy Keane has been confirmed as the new manager of Ipswich Town, replacing Jim Magilton who was sacked on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old returns to management after resigning from his job as manager of Premier League Sunderland in December.
Ipswich Town are eager to return to the top flight and see the former Manchester United midfielder as the man to realise that dream.
Keane worked wonders at the Stadium of Light after arriving at the club at the start of the 2006/07 season, transforming them from relegation fodder to Championship champions in just a matter of months.
He will take over at Portman Road with the club in a far healthier position but it was the club's failure to mount a serious play-off challenge this term which cost Magilton his job. After being just outside the top six in 2007/08, they are now 12 points adrift in ninth.
Keane can expect a healthy transfer war chest from the club's owner, hospitality entrepreneur Marcus Evans. He has already ploughed around £12m into the team since completing his takeover late in 2007.
Keane told the club's official website: "I truly believe that I am joining a club that has the potential, ambition and infrastructure to once again be a Premier League side.
"The club's owner (Marcus Evans) and chief executive (Simon Clegg) impressed upon me their total focus on achieving this quest at the earliest opportunity and I can't wait to get started.''
Evans said: "I am delighted that Roy has agreed to join us and we are completely aligned in our ambitions for Ipswich Town.
"He has extensive contacts in the game and is a proven winner who encourages his team to play the attractive football that Ipswich Town fans have come to expect.
"I believe he is the right man to take this club where we want to be - the Premier League.''
Clegg, the former chief executive of the British Olympic Association, added: "The appointment of Roy Keane further demonstrates our commitment to help Ipswich Town Football Club achieve our aim of returning to the Premier League at the earliest possible opportunity.
"Roy has experienced promotion as Championship winners as a manager and, importantly, then kept his side in English football's top flight, and I am looking forward to working with him.''
The Suffolk club have confirmed Keane will be unveiled at a press conference at Portman Road at 4pm today.
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