Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been appointed as the new manager of Merseyside rivals Everton.
The 61-year-old has put on paper a three-year deal with the Premier League club and replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who made a surprise return to Real Madrid on June 1.
Sources told ESPN earlier this month that BenÃtez was in talks to take over at Goodison Park, but faced competition from Roberto Martinez, Eddie Howe and Nuno Espirito Santo for the vacant position.
"You can see that there is ambition," Benitez told Everton TV. "This club is growing.
"For me, it's about bringing in a winning mentality, being competitive, so everything is fine on and off the pitch. I love the passion of the people behind the club. I know the city, I know Scouser I know what it means for every fan here to have a chance to compete and win.
"Coming to Everton definitely means a lot. You can see the ambition of the owner of the board, everyone wants to be better and move to a massive new stadium. I love to compete. I love to win I come from the Academy of Real Madrid [as a young player and coach], and the mindset to win is already there.
"We [BenÃtez and the coaching staff] have won 13 titles because we have this mentality and I still want to win. And I have come to Everton because I liked the idea of being competitive again - and getting a chance to compete every game, to compete against someone."
Everton's majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, said: "Rafa impressed us greatly with his knowledge and experience, but above all, the passion and appetite he showed to join our club. We are hiring Rafa because we have to I believe he will bring success to our club and to the Evertonians.
“To put it simply – we need to compete at the top end of the league and win trophies. Rafa is a proven champ with vast experience in coaching at the international level and we’ve got the best man to achieve it "
The appointment is a controversial one, as BenÃtez spent six years at Anfield, winning the Champions League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his spell.
During his time at Liverpool, Benitez described Everton as a "small club", but he has since claimed that his remarks were misinterpreted.
It is not the first time Benitez's appointment has sparked controversy after temporarily taking charge of rivals Liverpool's Chelsea in 2012.
The Spaniard has been out of work since leaving Chinese team Dalian Professional in January.
BenÃtez has an impressive track record of winning trophies during his managerial career, having led Valencia to two La Liga titles and a UEFA Super Cup win.
He also won the FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Milan, the Coppa Italia with Napoli and the Europa League at Chelsea. Benitez has also managed Real Madrid and Newcastle United.
Everton will be hoping Benitez can help the club lift its first major trophy since 1995.