West Ham have announced that Avram Grant has been appointed as their new manager on a four-year contract. Grant succeeds Gianfranco Zola, who was sacked after the Hammers survived a season spent flirting with relegation from the Barclays Premier League.
The 55-year-old's arrival is subject to being granted a work permit and he is expected to be officially unveiled later this month.
"I'm proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It's an exciting challenge and I'm ready to do my best," Grant told the club's official website, www.whufc.com.
"West Ham is a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is respected around the world.
"I'm already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and preparing for the new season."
Grant was sacked by Chelsea shortly after steering them into the Champions League final, which they lost on penalties, two years ago.
He returned to the Premier League with Portsmouth last October, first as director of football and then as manager following the removal of Paul Hart.
His success in leading Portsmouth, who were subsequently placed into administration, to the FA Cup final amid horrendous financial constraints won universal approval.
Co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold jointly acclaimed Grant's arrival as the "beginning of a new era at West Ham United".
Zola steered West Ham to safety last season with 35 points, enough to keep them one place above the relegation zone, but was sacked soon after.
The Hammers were saved more by the shortcomings of the teams below them than their own efforts, forcing Gold and Sullivan to act.
"I have to say that, having met Avram and spent some time with him, we have got our man. He is a perfect fit," said Gold.
"We needed experience and stability. He's a footballing man and quite frankly his reputation speaks for itself.
"He has a great sense of humour and I'm sure the players will relate to him and the fans will warm to him."
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic, Blackpool boss Ian Holloway, Cardiff manager Dave Jones and Sam Allardyce of Blackburn had also been linked with the job.
"I'm delighted to welcome Avram to West Ham and am confident he will prove a success," said Sullivan.
"We have taken our time over this appointment and are certain we have got the right man.
"We are all looking forward to next season with new players coming in and Avram's arrival is just the latest reason for real optimism."
Avram Grant Factfile:
1955: May 4- Born in Petah Tikva, Israel.
1974: Becomes youth coach at Hapoel Petah Tikva at the age of 19.
1978: Wins youth championship with Hapoel.
1986: Appointed coach of the senior team at Hapoel.
1991: Appointed coach of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
1992: Wins Israeli title in his first season.
1995: Wins his second title before moving to Hapoel Haifa.
1996: Returns to Maccabi Tel Aviv for a second, less successful spell.
2000: After failing to recreate the success of his earlier stint, Grant receives death threats from disgruntled fans and is later sacked. He is appointed manager of Maccabi Haifa.
2001: Wins title with Maccabi Haifa but is denied the chance of Champions League football after fielding an ineligible player in a qualifying match.
2002: Wins title again and Maccabi Haifa become the first Israeli side to compete in the Champions League. Appointed manager of Israel.
2004: A disappointing qualification campaign for the Euro 2004 tournament, including a 2-2 draw with Malta, sees the media calling for Grant's head. Courts controversy by travelling to the African Nations Cup in Tunisia - officially an enemy country of Israel.
2006: Narrowly misses out on World Cup qualification after leading Israel to third in their group behind France and Switzerland.
Appointed technical director at Portsmouth.
2007: September 20 - Appointed director of football at Chelsea. Put in charge of team alongside assistant Steve Clarke following departure of Jose Mourinho.
2008: February 24 - Loses Carling Cup final 2-1 to Tottenham.
March 8- Pressure on Grant increases as Chelsea are beaten 1-0 by Barnsley in FA Cup sixth round.
May 11- Manchester United win at Wigan to condemn Chelsea to the runners-up spot in the Premier League.
May 16- Football Association write to Grant to ask him to explain his remarks about referee Steve Bennett. Grant called Bennett's integrity into question after United's win at Wigan.
May 21- Chelsea lose Champions League final to Manchester United in Moscow on penalties.
May 24- Sacked by Chelsea.
June 26- Offered job as coach of the Georgia national team but turns it down.
2009: January - Holds talks with Bulgarian Football Union over becoming manager of the national team, but could not agree terms.
October 7- Returns to Portsmouth as director of football following Ali Al Faraj's purchase of the club.
November 26- Appointed Portsmouth's new manager after Paul Hart's departure.
March 17- Portsmouth receive a nine-point deduction as the the club enter administration.
April 10- Pompey are relegated from Premier League on the eve of their FA Cup semi-final.
April 11- Oversees 2-1 win over Tottenham in semi to secure place in cup final.
May 15- Chelsea beat Portsmouth 1-0 in the final at Wembley.
May 20- Resigns as Portsmouth manager.
June 3- Appointed West Ham manager on four-year contract, subject to a work permit.