Malpas was Scotland Under-21 caretaker manager last year

Malpas, who left his role as Motherwell boss in the summer after one season, will be assisted by caretaker boss Dave Byrne at the County Ground.

Malpas told BBC Radio Swindon: "I believe they've got a decent squad, obviously you want to continue the development of the squad.

"The board's realistic goals were one of the things I was looking for."

Interview: Incoming Swindon boss Maurice Malpas

Interview: Swindon chairman-elect Andrew Fitton

He added: "They never said they were looking to be in the Premier League in two or three years. The goal is to reach the Championship, which I think is realistic.

"I think they appreciated the jobs I've done on tight budgets, my honesty and my philosophy - I have a background in making sure youngsters have their opportunities, obviously the club gains from that."

606: DEBATE We must get behind the new man. It's good that Byrne is sticking around STFCPREM93

"I think it would be wise to use David's experience of the club and the division. The two of us should gel and we're both looking forward to it."

Chairman-elect Fitton insisted there was no doubt in his mind over who should get the job once he met with former Dundee United coach Malpas.

"When we met Maurice we knew immediately that he was the right person for the job," he told BBC Radio Swindon. "We had a list of criteria and we wanted to piece together the right team for the future of the business.

"Discipline, loyalty and stability was what we were looking for. What we need more than anything else is to get good structures in place. He was the obvious candidate once we interviewed him."

But Fitton denies Malpas' friend Paul Sturrock, who he worked with at Dundee United, recommended him.

"Absolutely not. Paul and I had one conversation about who we should appoint. We went through the candidates but we didn't talk about Maurice," Fitton added.

"But Paul was the first person on the phone when the news leaked out to say he thought we had put together a very effective team."