Walsall have appointed caretaker Jimmy Mullen as their new manager in succession to Richard Money.
The 55-year-old, who has previously managed Blackpool and Burnley, joined the Saddlers as Money's assistant in September 2007.
Mullen won two promotions with Burnley in the 1990s and was selected from a shortlist of five candidates.
"He has a proven track record and impressed everybody with his knowledge and passion," owner Jeff Bonser said.
Walsall have been without a manager since Money resigned on 22 April and the club have taken their time over naming his replacement.
"A short-list of five was drawn up by the board, all of which were given serious consideration," Bonser continued.
"We have had a number of interesting applicants but Jimmy stood out as the right man for the job.
"He has a wealth of coaching qualifications and has an inside working knowledge of the club."
Mullen was put in temporary charge at The Banks's Stadium for the final two games of their League One campaign, losing 2-0 at Huddersfield and drawing 2-2 with Hartlepool.
"I am proud and delighted to have been appointed team manager"
During his playing career he represented Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham and got his first coaching job as assistant manager to Ian Porterfield at Aberdeen in 1986.
Mullen took charge of Blackpool in 1989 before moving to Burley as assistant boss a year later.
He enjoyed a successful five-year spell at Turf Moor winning promotion twice.
He guided the Clarets to the old Fourth Division title in 1992 and into the second flight in 1994 after beating Stockport 2-1 in the play-off final at Wembley.
"I am proud and delighted to have been appointed team manager," Mullen said.
"I am well aware of the calibre of the applicants who had applied for the job, which makes me all the more delighted to have been given this opportunity."
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