Manchester United have confirmed David Moyes as their new manager.
The 50-year-old has signed a six-year-contract with the Old Trafford outfit and will join officially on July 1 after completing the season with Everton.
Moyes has the backing of Sir Alex Ferguson, who confirmed his retirement yesterday, and his first official game will be the Community Shield against either Manchester City or Wigan at Wembley on August 11.
Moyes said: "It's a great honor to be asked to be the next manager of Manchester United. I am delighted that Sir Alex saw fit to recommend me for the job. I have great respect for everything he has done and for the football club.
"I know how hard it will be to follow the best manager ever, but the opportunity to manage Manchester United isn't something that comes around very often and I'm really looking forward to taking up the post next season."
With Moyes committed to concluding the season at Everton, he will not be introduced as United manager until after the campaign is over.
"I have had a terrific job at Everton, with a tremendous chairman and board of directors and a great set of players," he added. Between now and the end of the season, I will do everything in my power to make sure we finish as high as possible in the table.
"Everton's fantastic fans have played a big part in making my years at Goodison so enjoyable and I thank them wholeheartedly for the support they have given me and the players. Everton will be close to me for the rest of my life."
Having decided to end his near 27-year stint at United this summer, Ferguson quickly came to the conclusion his fellow countryman would be the right man to follow.
"When we discussed the candidates that we felt had the right attributes, we unanimously agreed on David Moyes," said Ferguson. "David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic. I've admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998 to discuss the position of assistant manager here.
"He was a young man then at the start of his career and has since gone on to do a magnificent job at Everton. There is no question he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this club."
The enormous length of Moyes' contract offers an insight into why United did not wish to appoint Jose Mourinho.
For the Red Devils hierarchy clearly view the appointment as more than that of just a manager, and see Moyes as someone who will embed himself in the traditions of the club.
"I have always said that we wanted the next manager to be a genuine Manchester United man," said Sir Bobby Charlton. "In David Moyes, we have someone who understands the things that make this such a special club.
"We have secured a man who is committed to the long-term and will build teams for the future as well as now. Stability breeds success. David has tremendous strength of character and recognizes the importance of bringing young players through and developing them alongside world class talent.
"At United, I think David will be able to express himself. I am delighted he has accepted and I'm looking forward to working with him." Moyes will get his first taste of what a global club United are in July, when he heads to Thailand, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong on their summer tour.
Before that he will sit down with new chief executive Ed Woodward to discuss future plans.
"The search for a new manager has been very short,'' said co-chairman Avie Glazer. "Alex was very clear with his recommendation and we are delighted that David has agreed to accept the job.
"He comes to us with excellent credentials and a strong track record. I know he is keen to get started and Ed will be sitting down with him as soon as the season is over to discuss plans for the summer and beyond."
Fellow co-chairman Joel Glazer added: "I am very pleased David has agreed to lead Manchester United into the future. His hard-working style and steely determination are characteristics we value.
"He has impressed as a coach for many years now and we strongly believe he will be able to take up from where Alex is leaving off by continuing this club's tradition of flair football played by exciting, world-class players."
With long-serving chief executive David Gill also leaving in the summer, it means a massive change at Old Trafford.
But Woodward is confident the enormous success Ferguson has brought to United will continue.
"In David Moyes, we have secured the services of an outstanding manager who has all the skills to build on the phenomenal legacy in place today,'' he said.
"I have no doubt that he will bring an energy and commitment to deliver winning football that is part of the fabric of this club.
"In this respect, he is cut from the same cloth as the Old Trafford greats who go before him.
"I have been very impressed by David's personal and managerial traits, which reflect the Manchester United values.
"I have no doubt that he will embrace, and soon become an integral part of, United's unique culture and heritage."
