Jack O'Connor will be ratified as the new Kildare football boss on a three-year term next month
The 58-year-old will succeed Cian O'Neill in the hot-seat after the Moorefield man completed four years in charge this summer.
Despite guiding the county back to Division 1 next year, O'Neill stepped down last month following the qualifier defeat to Tyrone.
O'Connor masterminded to three senior All-Ireland titles with Kerry - twice in his first spell in charge, in 2004 and '06, and then in his second stint in 2009. His Kerry teams were also losing All-Ireland finalists twice, in 2005 and '11.
More recently he was at the helm of the Kerry under-21s, leading them to a brace of All-Ireland triumphs. His last game in charge was the defeat to Cork in the Munster final last month.
O'Connor has Kildare ties through his sons Eanna and Cian, who live in the county and long-suffering Lilywhites supporters will be hoping he can transform the county's championship fortunes, as fellow Kerryman Mick O'Dwyer did in the 1990s and early 2000s.
O'Connor has also coached Moorefield, where his sons play their club football, and having taken early retirement from his teaching job he is free to take the reins in the Leinster county.
O'Neill cited the failure of his panel to reach their potential during his time in charge as is the main reason why he stepped down. O'Connor has a job on his hands to change that mindset.
One of his first tasks will be to bring Daniel Flynn back into the fold after the prolific forward took the year off the concentrate on his studies.
The statement released by Kildare GAA tonight read: "The Management Committee of Kildare GAA are pleased to nominate Jack O’Connor for the position of Kildare Senior Football Manager for a three year term.
"The proposal will go before the September County Board meeting for ratification.
"Jack has a wealth of management experience at all levels having won three All-Ireland Senior titles, two All-Ireland U21 titles, two All-Ireland Minor titles, three All-Ireland Vocational Schools and one All-Ireland Colleges Hogan Cup.
"He has also won three National Football League titles as well as numerous Munster titles at all age grades. Jack’s proposed backroom team will be announced over the coming weeks'.
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