Fabio Capello has been appointed as England manager having signed a four-and-a-half year contract, the Football Association has announced.

Capello will start at the FA on January 7, the organisation said, after discussions with chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

The FA said the move was ratified unanimously by its board a day later.

The FA's website said: "Capello has vast experience as a coach at the top level of the game.

"His 16-year managerial career has encompassed spells at AC Milan, Real Madrid, AS Roma and Juventus.

"In total, Capello has won nine League titles in Italy and Spain as well as lifting the European Cup with Milan in 1994."

Brian Barwick said: "I am delighted that Fabio Capello has agreed to become England Manager. When we set out to recruit the new manager, we said we were committed to appointing a world-class candidate. In Fabio Capello we have that man.

"Fabio is a winner. His record over the last two decades speaks for itself.

"At every club he has managed, Fabio has won the League title and Trevor and I were left in no doubt of his passion and commitment to bring that success to the England team."

Capello's backroom staff will consist of assistants Franco Baldini and Italo Galbiati, goalkeeping coach Franco Tancredi, and fitness coach Massimo Neri.

The FA added: "He will also discuss with Trevor Brooking how to integrate an English presence into the coaching set-up."

Earlier, Premier League managers Rafael Benitez and Alex McLeish said Capello would be a successful England manager.

Liverpool boss Benitez said: "I know him, he is a great manager. He is a good worker and has clear ideas what to do. He is a winner.

"If you want to express something it is not easy as I found out. But he has experience and I am sure he will handle it."

Capello's main task will be to lead England through the qualification campaign for the 2010 World Cup.

Birmingham City manager McLeish added: "He has a fantastic lot of talent to choose from and I'm sure Capello will have England as one of the top nations in the world again."

McLeish understands the pressure of leading a national team after 11 months as Scotland boss.

He added: "The expectation levels are that England should be competing for the big trophies and Capello could be the man to do that.

"He is capable of handling any pressure. He won't be fazed by the job and he has got the necessary experience."

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