Crystal Palace have appointed Roy Hodgson as their new manager on a two-year deal.
The south London club parted company with Frank de Boer on Monday after just 77 days in charge.
They are yet to win a game this season or score a goal and have placed their faith in experienced former England boss Hodgson.
“This is very much the club of my boyhood,” the 70-year-old said in his first interview with the club.
“I remember in my youth watching the club from the terraces at the Holmesdale Road end which gave me such fond memories.
“In those days I had dreams of playing for the team, then as a coach you think about coaching the team and a lot has happened in between times.
“It is very rewarding to find myself here now, in different times, as the Palace manager at a club that I have always loved and admired with a huge potential.
“We are the club of south London, with an enormously large fan base.
“The ambitions here are realistic and there is an enormous potential for growth and I hope we can achieve our goals.
“I am very excited to be back in club football and it is a long while since I have enjoyed the day to day sessions of training.”
Ray Lewington will join Hodgson as his assistant, having previously worked together at England and Fulham.
Lewington is a familiar face in south London, having been Palace’s Assistant Manager between 1994 and 2000, including two spells as caretaker manager.
Hodgson will lead training on Wednesday with his first game being Saturday’s clash with Southampton at Selhurst Park (12.30).