Platt takes U-21 job

Platt's Forest missed out on the play-offs last season

Nottingham Forest manager David Platt has been appointed the new England Under-21 coach.

Platt has left his post at Forest and compensation is likely to be paid to the First Division club by the Football Association.

The former England captain replaces Howard Wilkinson, who resigned as Under-21 coach two weeks ago.

Former England midfielder Platt was targeted following discussions between England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, FA chief executive Adam Crozier and FA technical director Wilkinson.

  Platt factfile

1988: Signed by Aston Villa for £200,000 from Crewe.

1990: Selected for England's World Cup squad. Scores thrilling winner against Belgium in second round match.

1991: Sold to Italian club Bari for £5.5m.

1992: Moves from Bari to Juventus for £6.5m.

1993: Joins Sampdoria for £5.2m, taking combined transfer fees to £17.4m.

1995: Joins Arsenal for £4.75m.

1998: Retires from playing. Coaches England U-18 and U-19 teams. 17 December - Confirmed as boss of Sampdoria.

1999: 2 February - Leaves after just seven weeks. 1 July - Becomes new manager of Nottingham Forest.

2001: Forest finish six points off the Div 1 play-offs. 12 July - Becomes England U-21 coach.

Platt said: "This is a great opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to working with the best young players in the country.

"I know Howard Wilkinson, having worked alongside him with the Under-18s, and I enjoyed playing under Sven in Italy.

"We're all committed to developing young players into senior internationals."

Eriksson had reportedly been keen for Platt to take on the role for some time.

The Swede knows the former England captain, who won 62 caps, well from their time together in Italy with Sampdoria.

Eriksson said: "I'm very happy with this appointment. David is the perfect man for the job.

Eriksson: Very happy with the appointment

"I'm sure he will be a very successful coach of young England players and I'm looking forward to working closely with him."

Platt had a brief spell as manager of the Serie A club following his decision to retire after helping Arsenal to win the double in 1998.

However, his time back in Italy was dogged by red tape and he jumped at the chance of taking over Forest in July 1999 when he succeeded Ron Atkinson.

Platt's first season was disappointing, but in the last campaign they were within six points of a First Division play-off spot.

He has coached England youngsters before, so is no stranger to the workings of the FA.

Platt is currently on a pre-season tour with Forest in Holland.