Middlesbrough have appointed Tony Pulis as their new manager following the dismissal of Garry Monk.
The Championship club parted company with Monk on Saturday after the 2-1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday left them ninth in the table.
Pulis has been out of work since November when he left Premier League strugglers West Brom, but the Teesside club have now announced he will be the man they hope can lead them to promotion.
Boro chairman Steve Gibson said on the club's official website: "We're delighted to appoint Tony as our new manager. His experience and knowledge speaks for itself and he has a tremendous track record.
"We're excited by this appointment and by what Tony can bring to this football club. There was strong interest from two other clubs, and we're delighted Tony has decided to join us.
"There's no disguising that 2017 has not been a happy year for any of us, but we've refocused and we're looking forward to the future."
The 59-year-old will watch the Boxing Day game against Bolton at the Riverside Stadium from the stands, with academy manager Craig Liddle taking charge of the team.
Middlesbrough Football Club are delighted to confirm the appointment of Tony Pulis as manager
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) December 26, 2017
➡️ https://t.co/vFepPbvrKv #UTB pic.twitter.com/ZXyIbNBWFb
Pulis added: "I wanted a challenge -- a real challenge -- and this reminds me so much of Stoke when I went there with Peter Coates. Steve Gibson is a football man who understands the game. I have great respect for him as a person and an owner.
"I really am looking forward to this. The immediate challenge is finding out about the football club and as a team we have to get as many points as can, as quickly as we can.
"I wanted to come at this time because we have so many games in a short space of time, and I can assess everything."
Middlesbrough are currently ninth in the Championship table.