Kolo Toure will take his first steps as a manager with struggling Championship side Wigan Athletic.
The Ivorian, who spent the vast majority of his career in England with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, retired in 2017 to become a coach.
After working alongside Brendan Rodgers at both Celtic and Leicester City, he has now embarked on his first managerial role, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with Wigan.
The Latics overcame financial difficulties to narrowly survive relegation from League One in 2021 before winning the title a year later.
In recognition of his efforts, manager Leam Richardson was rewarded with a new long-term contract in October, but was sacked just 16 days later.
The club have been searching for a replacement since then and have finally settled on Toure as the right choice to take over.
After 21 games, Wigan are 22nd in the Championship table, just inside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Toure will be tasked with guiding them to safety once the season resumes, starting with his first game away to Millwall on 10 December.
Chief executive Malachy Brannigan told the club’s website: "We are delighted that Kolo has become the new manager of Wigan Athletic and the board are pleased that he is the man to take us forward.
"We received a high calibre of applicants for the manager's job in recent weeks in a very thorough recruitment process as we looked to appoint the right person for the role.
"From the earliest of conversations we had with Kolo it was evident to us that he had instantly bought into the values of the club, with his enthusiasm, knowledge and immense desire to work and be part of Wigan Athletic shining throughout the process.
"There is no doubt that this appointment is an exciting one for the football club. Kolo is a manager who wants to play a positive brand of football and will strive every day to make the club stronger.”
