Montella appointed new AC Milan coach

The 42-year-old Italian succeeds Cristian Brocchi, who has fulfilled the role as caretaker boss since Sinisa Mihajlovic was sacked in April.

Milan finished last season in seventh, missing out on a place in Europe.

"The club is convinced that the brilliant system of play of the new rossoneri coach will be the basis of a fruitful and positive partnership," the club declared in a statement.

After a 1-0 Italian Cup final loss to Juventus in May Brocchi had conceded his job was on the line.

Since the departure of Massimiliano Allegri in January 2014 a series of managers - Filippo Inzaghi, Clarence Seedorf, Mihajlovic and Brocchi - have come and gone at the San Siro without success.

Montella, a former international striker who played for Roma and Sampdoria, is one of the well regarded younger managers in Serie A.

He joins Milan after spells with Catania, Fiorentina and his old club Sampdoria.

He arrives as club owner Silvio Berlusconi's Milan are in talks with Chinese investors about a takeover.