This job is a tough challenge but it's something that excites me John Toshack

Toshack, 55, beat off the challenge of Dean Saunders and Phillippe Troussier to be named Mark Hughes' successor.

Toshack, who walked out on his country after one game in charge 10 years ago, has been handed a five-year contract by the Football Association of Wales.

He said: "After 26 years in six different countries now, over 1,000 games in the dugout, this is one of the few jobs that really motivates me."

The FAW revealed Cardiff-born Toshack had been the unanimous choice after also holding talks with Saunders and Troussier at Heathrow Airport on Thursday.

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier was also a contender, but pulled out of the race.

The thing that amazes me most about his appointment is that the FAW have given him a five year contract! From Darren Have your say on 606

Toshack brushed aside criticism of his decision to walk out on a part-time role with Wales in 1994, insisting he was back for the long-term.

He said: "We haven't got a game for three months so we should get off to a good start - we can't lose for three months.

"And that should take me past the length of time I had the job last time.

"I think it's the right time for me - personally I think football management is about timing and being in the right place at the right time.

I can't make any promises or offer any guarantees other than the knowledge and experience I've gained John Toshack

"I've been very fortunate and privileged as a player and manager - I've been successful and picked up a lot of knowledge and experience.

"But taking the national side to the European Championship finals or World Cup finals is one of the few things that I haven't been able to do.

"This job is a tough challenge but it's something that excites me - and I have had equally difficult challenges in the past."

Toshack also insisted he would have to fight to win over the current crop of players after being a harsh media critic of former manager Mark Hughes and his squad.

He said: "I think that's a bit exaggerated. I gave him constructive criticism. I wish Mark all the very best, he's got a difficult job at Blackburn."

TOSHACK FACTFILE 1949: Born in Cardiff 1966: Joins Cardiff City 1970: Joins Liverpool, wins 3 league titles, 2 Uefa Cups and 1 FA Cup 1979: Takes Swansea from 4th to 1st division 1984: Moves to Sporting Lisbon 1985: 1st spell at Real Sociedad 1989: Goes to Real Madrid 1994: Back at Sociedad, takes part-time role with Wales but resigns after a game 1995: Moves to Deportivo 2000: Given St Etienne job after 2nd Real Madrid spell ends 2002: Third spell at Sociedad ends, takes job with Italian Serie B side Catania 2003: Leaves Catania 2004: Takes part-time role at Real Murcia until the end of the 2003/4 season

After a glittering playing career with Liverpool, Toshack became player-manager for fourth-division side Swansea and by 1979 had guided them to the old first division.

Since then Toshack has coached Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Deportivo La Coruna in Spain, Turkish side Besiktas, French club St Etienne, Portuguese outfit Sporting Lisbon and Catania of Italy.

He spent last season helping out at struggling Spanish side Murcia.

Robbie Savage was among the players to question Toshack's appointment, but later withdrew his criticism.

Toshack said: "I've seen one player talk about what other players might do - and did a U-turn himself.

"I think it's three that decided for one reason or another that the time is right to leave international football. That is a decision you have to respect.

"Players eligible to play for Wales have a clean slate - one man's meat is another man's poison. We'll have to wait and see."