By Inas Mazhar BBC Sport, Cairo

Tardelli is the first Italian to ever coach any team in Egypt

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has named Italy's Marco Tardelli as the new coach of their national team.

The 1982 World Cup winner becomes the first Italian to take control of Egypt's national team and has been handed a contract lasting one year and nine months.

EFA president Essam Abdel Moenim revealed the appointment following a three-hour meeting of the football body on Thursday.

"Tardelli is the best to lead Egypt in the coming period," Moneim said at EFA headquarters in Cairo.

"We have made a thorough investigation about him in Italy and he was praised by Italian officials."

"He is ambitious, wants to get results with Egypt and we hope (he does) so."

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The Italian, who the EFA says will earn US $40,000 a month, will start his job on 1 April but will arrive in Egypt on Monday ahead of the Pharaohs' friendly against Trinidad and Tobago two days later.

Moneim explained that Tardelli's contract will be renewed if the Pharaohs qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and the agreement has incentives for the Italian to fulfil various objectives.

The 49-year-old will receive US $100,000 should he lead Egypt to the 2006 World Cup and will be awarded $60,000 should Egypt win the Cup of Nations earlier that year.

Should the Egyptians, who are hosting the tournament, finish second, Tardelli will receive $15,000.

The Italian, who has previously coached Inter Milan, Bari and Italy's under-21 side, is already on a rapid learning curve of football in one of Africa's most esteemed sporting nations.

Tardelli celebrates Italy's second goal in the 1982 World Cup final

"He has been informed of the status of Egyptian football and is watching tapes of the national league competitions and other matches to get familiar with Egyptian football before his arrival," Moneim explained.

Tardelli will be joined by Italian assistant Luca Giannini while current caretaker boss Fathy Mabrouk becomes general coach.

The Pharaohs' technical staff also includes Ismail Youssef as assistant coach, Ahmed Soliman as goalkeeping coach and Samir Adli as administrative manager.

Moneim explained that Tardelli's monthly salary will be paid by Egyptian businessmen while the federation will pay the Italian's lodging and car, as well as the salaries of the other technical staff.

A further clause in Tardelli's contract stipulates that should either the EFA or the Italian decide to terminate the agreement, a sum of $100,000 will be paid to the other side.

The Italian will sign his contract next Wednesday in an international press centre in Cairo.