The 51-year-old, who was dismissed by the Dragons just six weeks before the start of the Super League season, has signed a two-year deal.

He replaces John Pendlebury, who resigned on Tuesday three games into the new season citing personal reasons.

"The potential at Oldham is enormous - and to coach my home town club is a dream come true," said Deakin.

"It will be hectic for a few weeks because I have a lot of catching up to do, but the beauty of a two-year contract is that it gives us time to make real progress and to move forward."

I know there may be difficulties with training facilities and things like that, but nothing of that nature concerns me New Oldham coach Steve Deakin

Deakin, formerly assistant coach at London Broncos and Huddersfield, was surprisingly sacked by the Dragons in December.

He joined the French club in 2003 to oversee the entry into Super League but he was dismissed because of differences between him and the players.

"I have no hard feelings about what happened at Catalan," Deakin told Oldham's website. "Life is too short for looking over your shoulder.

"I have a lot of friends there and I wish them well. The club formed a large part of my life for a long time.

"I put the team together and I believe it's a team that is good enough to perform well in Super League. But I've moved on since then. Now, I am 100% an Oldham Roughyeds man."

Assistant coach Keith Brennan will prepare the team for Wednesday's rearranged Northern Rail Cup match at Halifax while Deakin will take charge for the Powergen Cup tie with local amateurs Saddleworth on Sunday.

Pendlebury was apparently unhappy with the club's training facilities but Deakin has played down those difficulties.

"I know there may be difficulties with training facilities and things like that but nothing of that nature concerns me," he added.