Gary Speed today admitted the opportunity to manage Wales was too good to turn down after being unveiled as John Toshack's successor.
The 41-year-old, who leaves Sheffield United after less than four months in charge, said the goal was to instil confidence, stop the rot and 'compete consistently on the world stage'.
The Blades granted permission for the Welsh FA to talk to Speed on Monday after the former midfielder was identified as the preferred successor to Toshack.
'It's something that's very difficult to turn down when your country comes calling,' he said. 'I'm a very proud man at this moment to be asked to be the manager of Wales.
The post had been vacant since September 9, with Chris Coleman, John Hartson, Brian Flynn and former Sweden nationalmanager Lars Lagerback all interviewed last week.
Although Speed is a highly respected former Wales captain with 85 caps - a record for an outfield player - his managerial debut in South Yorkshire has been far from outstanding.
The Blades have lost half of his 18 matches in charge, leaving them one point and two places above the npower Championship relegation zone.
On his departure from Bramall Lane, Speed said: 'These things happen in football, where the timing's not always great.
'I was disappointed to leave Sheffield United because I feel I had a job to do there and was fully committed but obviously when your country comes calling it's a tough decision you have to make. I feel in my heart it's the right one.
'To be fair to them they've been fantastic throughout and made the decision really easy for me. I'd like to thank Sheffield United for the opportunity I've been given there both as a coach under Kevin Blackwell and then as a manager.'
Looking ahead, Speed is relishing the task of getting the best out of Wales' young players.
'I think that's the part of the job which I'm really looking forward to,' he said. 'The group of players we've got, they're of an age where they can be together for a long time and improve and grow for a long time.
'I'm looking forward to the challenge of putting things in place to try to be successful.'
The former Wales midfielder's aim is to make his country regular contenders to qualify for major events. Wales currently languish at the bottom of their Euro 2012 qualifying group after a run of three straight defeats.
Afriendly with the Republic of Ireland in February is the first match onthe agenda, followed by what is sure to be an explosive competitive encounter with England at the Millennium Stadium on March 26.
'I think we need to consistently compete on a world stage and not just come close to qualifying every now and again, every 12-15 years,' he said. 'It's my job to make sure the structure in Welsh football is such that we're consistently competing.
'As a player I've been part of campaigns where we've just missed out, but in between those campaigns there were gaps of eight to 10 years.
'It's my job to make sure this country develops in a way so we can consistently compete on a world stage.'
Brown to rival Saunders for vacant Sheffield United post after Speed exitWales set to unveil Speed as boss after Sheffield United agree release
Explore more:People: Gary Speed, Chris Coleman, John Toshack, John Hartson, Kevin Blackwell, Brian Flynn Places: Newcastle, Leeds, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, Wales
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail