Malky Mackay has been named as the performance director of the Scottish Football Association (SFA).
Mackay was presented at a news conference as successor to Brian McClair, who quit in the summer after a little over a year in the post.
The former Wigan and Cardiff manager will oversee the SFA's attempts to produce elite young players.
In a statement, the ex-Scotland international said: "I am immensely proud and privileged to become performance director, and I am acutely aware of the importance of this role in achieving future success for our talented young players.
"As someone who was fortunate enough to develop as a young player at Queen's Park and realise my dream of playing for my country at the national stadium, this feels like coming home."
Mackay said he "could not wait to work in partnership with our clubs and my colleagues at the Scottish FA to help improve future generations of Scotland players."
SFA chief executive Stewart Regan described Mackay as "the outstanding candidate."
He said: "His experiences as a player and a manager are complemented by his strategic outlook and commitment to implement many of the exciting proposals discussed in recent months."
He said Mackay's objective would be "to provide a better standard of player for the benefit of our clubs and, ultimately, our national teams."