Frenchman Luis Fernandez was confirmed as Israel's new manager and will steer the team through the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

The agreement sees Fernandez move back to Israel where he spent a season as Beitar Jerusalem coach.

Fernandez said: "I'm very happy to return to Israel and it is a great challenge for me to qualify Israel to the Euros.

"There are many talents here and I'm sure the team will succeed.

"I know Israeli football, the league and players. I see the improvement and progress here.

"I know it's not a simple task, but I am convinced that they will succeed."

Israel have been drawn in Group F along with Croatia, Greece, Latvia, Georgia and Malta.

Fernandez, who won 60 caps for France and was part of the Euro 1984-winning squad, will start his new job on May 1, and his first matches in charge will be against Chile and Uruguay at the end of that month.

The 60-year-old won a French cup double as Paris St Germain coach in 1995 and also steered the club to second place in the league - a feat he achieved in Spain as well with Athletic Bilbao.