Former England and Mexico boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has been appointed as manager of the Ivory Coast national team.

The Swede has also coached Manchester City among many others at club level and was most recently director of football at League Two club Notts County but will now take the reins of the Elephants for the 2010 World Cup.

"Eriksson signed a contract in London on Sunday," said Outtara Hego, secretary general at the Ivory Coast football federation.

"As most people know, Guus Hiddink was our first choice. When that did not happen, Eriksson was the best alternative. He has the necessary experience."

"The executive committee analysed the profile of several candidates before choosing Sven-Goran Eriksson," FIF said.

"His mission will be to guide our team during the World Cup and to make sure it fares honourably, which will be difficult in a competition featuring the world's best 32 sides."

Ivory Coast have been drawn in World Cup Group G along with Brazil, Portugal and North Korea.