Dundalk have confirmed the appointment of Filippo Giovagnoli as their new head coach.
Giovagnoli was a former technical director of the AC Milan summer camps and was recently director of coaching at the Metropolitan Oval Academy in New York.
This will be his first senior managerial role.
The 49-year-old had an 18-year professional career in Italy in his playing days as a defender but never at a higher level than Serie C.
The replacement in the wake of Vinny Perth's dismissal last week after of the club's disappointing 3-0 Champions League defeat to Slovenian champions NK Celje.
Giovagnoli will be assisted by fellow Italian, Guiseppe Rossi. The pair, who hail from the same town of Apecchio, also worked together at the Metropolitan Oval Academy.
The duo took charge of training at Oriel Park on Tuesday morning when they were introduced to the club's players.
Giovagnoli admitted that he understood if people were sceptical about his lack of experience, but insisted that he is confident in his abilities.
"It's my first experience at this level but if you know football and know what you are doing, which I believe I do, then for me it’s just a different challenge. I am confident we are going to do a good job.
"It’s a big challenge because I’m in a different country and a lot of people are sceptical but I am not afraid and when I become part of a club, it becomes my family, and if it becomes my family, I will fight really hard to do well."
The new head coach admitted that it was a whirlwind appointment and that, up until three days ago, Dundalk were not a team that was on his radar.
"It was short notice, actually three days ago. From there I was one of the coach that was applying for the job, let's say that. I didn't apply, they called me.
"From there I had to study and work like if I was the coach. I started to watch games, I started to make a report to the club and tell them what I was thinking and I started to prepare like I was the coach. Today was the first practice but it's like I know them a while."
