Michel Preud'homme will lead FC Twente into their first UEFA Champions League group stage campaign after being confirmed as Steve McClaren's successor as coach.

Both Dutch champions Twente and Preud'homme's current club KAA Gent have announced that the 51-year-old Belgian will move to Enschede this summer, although he has yet to officially sign an expected three-year deal. McClaren recently guided De Tukkers to their first Eredivisie title, before leaving to take charge at Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg.

Capped 58 times by Belgium, former goalkeeper Preud'homme has made a name for himself as a coach in his homeland. He led R. Standard de Liège to their first Belgian championship in a quarter of a century two seasons ago, while he took Gent to a second-place finish this term and a first Belgian Cup triumph in 26 years.

Preud'homme said: "When I left Standard for Gent, Twente were already interested in me. They have been following me since. I am very happy with this challenge and really looking forward to starting." In a statement on their website, Gent said: "Gent wish him a lot of success at Twente, and thank Preud'homme for the beautiful road he travelled with our club."