Mark Hughes was entrusted with the tough task of following Roy Hodgson as Fulham manager after the west London club hired him on a two-year contract Thursday.
The Premier League side opted for Hughes, who has been out of work since being fired by Manchester City in December, after failing to prise Martin Jol from Ajax last week.
Fulham had been seeking a manager since July 1, when the popular Hodgson was tempted to join Liverpool by the challenge of reviving the five-time European champion.
Hodgson saved Fulham from relegation within months of joining. He then guided the unfashionable side to its best ever topflight finish of seventh in his first full season and followed that by reaching last season's Europa League final.
''I am joining on the back of two of the most successful seasons in the club's history and that in itself brings with it the challenges of expectation and ambition,'' Hughes said. ''I am confident that with some additions to the squad, hard work and commitment, we can move this club forward in the right direction.
''I'm looking forward to working with the squad as soon as possible and in making sure the on-pitch preparations are complete before the first competitive ball is kicked in August.''
Fulham, which lost what was only its second ever major final 2-1 to Atletico Madrid, opens the Premier League season at Bolton on Aug. 14.
Hughes enjoyed success in his first managerial position with his native Wales and then at Blackburn but was fired midway through his second season with Manchester City when the club's wealthy owners began to doubt his ability to guide the team to a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The former Manchester United, Barcelona and Chelsea striker was aggrieved at his exit from City.
Hughes had spent about $330 million on new players inside a year and lost just two matches until December. But the club's wealthy owner was dissatisfied with a string of draws that left City sixth in the Premier League.
Those draws meant City was on a streak of just two wins in 11 Premier League games when Hughes left. He was succeeded by former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini but City was still edged to fourth place and the final Champions League qualifying spot by Tottenham.
Fulham finished 12th last season and is of a similar status to the Blackburn side that Hughes guided to the top half of the Premier League before he was headhunted by City.
''I know that he understands my vision for the club and believes in what we want achieve,'' Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed said. ''We have enjoyed two incredibly successful years and my hopes and dreams for this club are for that journey to continue.
''I am confident that with his Premier League and national team successes, Mark will be a great guy for the job.''
