Aston Villa have named the former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier as their new manager.
Houllier had been working as the technical director of French football and is also a former manager of Lens, Paris St Germain and Lyon.
Houllier said of his appointment: "I am very happy and proud to join this great and historic club.
"It was a very difficult decision for me to leave the FFF (French Football Federation) but I could not turn down the opportunity to manage a club whose approach, both on and off the pitch, I have long admired.
"Aston Villa is one of England's biggest clubs and has an amazing set of fans. This is a tremendous challenge and one I am very much looking forward to taking on."
Houllier succeeds Martin O'Neill who resigned just before the start of the season.