Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken over as manager of troubled Cardiff City on what is described as a "rolling contract".
One of his earliest tasks will be to take his side to play his old club Manchester United on Tuesday 28 January.
The champions immediately tweeted: "#mufc legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the new Cardiff City manager. See you at Old Trafford on 28 January, Ole."
The Norwegian said he had consulted United's former manager Sir Alex Ferguson before taking the job.
"He has wished me the best and given me some good advice as he always does. I had a good conversation with him," he said.
The Welsh side had earlier tweeted: "@CardiffCityFC are delighted to confirm the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as first team manager."
Solskjaer said: "It's a fantastic challenge for me. Cardiff City are ready to take the next step up, I hope I can help them.
"I've always dreamt of being a manager in the Premier League and I'm delighted to get the opportunity.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead. I'm going to bring my energy and enthusiasm to the club.
"I'm a very positive manager. I want to play a good style of football and yesterday we showed what a threat we can be."
The club's owner, Vincent Tan, had delayed returning to Malaysia after Cardiff's game at Arsenal on New Year's Day in order to seal the appointment.
Solskjaer had flown in from Norway to London with Tan on the businessman's private jet on Wednesday and he took his place alongside him in the directors' box in the afternoon to watch Cardiff's 2-0 Premier League defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
Tan had taken the unpopular decision to sack Malky Mackay last Friday, despite the Scot having won the club's first promotion to the top flight in 51 years. Cardiff sit 17th in the table, one point above the relegation places.
Solskjaer, though, said he would have no problems working with Tan. "I have had good chats with Mehmet and with the owner, we have had a good dialogue," he said.
On the other side of Solskjaer at the Emirates Stadium was the Cardiff chairman, Mehmet Dalman, the banker who introduced the Glazers to Manchester United. Solskjaer is a patron of the Manchester United Supporters Trust.
Dalman said: "There was only one name in my head from the very beginning. We're delighted to welcome Ole to Cardiff City."
Solskjaer turned down the chance to become the Aston Villa manager before the appointment of Paul Lambert and had also been linked with the current vacancy at West Bromwich Albion. His first game will be the FA Cup third round tie at Newcastle United on Saturday.
Cardiff have a difficult month coming up with a home match against their relegation rivals West Ham followed by visits to Manchester City and then United.
Solskjaer added: "We've got some of the toughest trips in world football coming up this month. They're games we'll relish and look forward to."
One of his earliest tasks will be to take his side to play his old club Manchester United on Tuesday 28 January.
The champions immediately tweeted: "#mufc legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the new Cardiff City manager. See you at Old Trafford on 28 January, Ole."
The Norwegian said he had consulted United's former manager Sir Alex Ferguson before taking the job.
"He has wished me the best and given me some good advice as he always does. I had a good conversation with him," he said.
The Welsh side had earlier tweeted: "@CardiffCityFC are delighted to confirm the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as first team manager."
Solskjaer said: "It's a fantastic challenge for me. Cardiff City are ready to take the next step up, I hope I can help them.
"I've always dreamt of being a manager in the Premier League and I'm delighted to get the opportunity.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead. I'm going to bring my energy and enthusiasm to the club.
"I'm a very positive manager. I want to play a good style of football and yesterday we showed what a threat we can be."
The club's owner, Vincent Tan, had delayed returning to Malaysia after Cardiff's game at Arsenal on New Year's Day in order to seal the appointment.
Solskjaer had flown in from Norway to London with Tan on the businessman's private jet on Wednesday and he took his place alongside him in the directors' box in the afternoon to watch Cardiff's 2-0 Premier League defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
Tan had taken the unpopular decision to sack Malky Mackay last Friday, despite the Scot having won the club's first promotion to the top flight in 51 years. Cardiff sit 17th in the table, one point above the relegation places.
Solskjaer, though, said he would have no problems working with Tan. "I have had good chats with Mehmet and with the owner, we have had a good dialogue," he said.
On the other side of Solskjaer at the Emirates Stadium was the Cardiff chairman, Mehmet Dalman, the banker who introduced the Glazers to Manchester United. Solskjaer is a patron of the Manchester United Supporters Trust.
Dalman said: "There was only one name in my head from the very beginning. We're delighted to welcome Ole to Cardiff City."
Solskjaer turned down the chance to become the Aston Villa manager before the appointment of Paul Lambert and had also been linked with the current vacancy at West Bromwich Albion. His first game will be the FA Cup third round tie at Newcastle United on Saturday.
Cardiff have a difficult month coming up with a home match against their relegation rivals West Ham followed by visits to Manchester City and then United.
Solskjaer added: "We've got some of the toughest trips in world football coming up this month. They're games we'll relish and look forward to."
