Stevenage have announced that former Arsenal scout Gary Smith has accepted the role of manager after the club parted company with Graham Westley who left to take charge of Preston.
There had been some suggestions that Paul Ince would succeed Westely, but it seems Smith has impressed the board, despite a lack of managerial experience.
The 43-year-old has only been in charge of one club as he helped Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids win the Championship Cup in 2010 and make the play-offs in 2011.
"I believe it's a fresh, exciting appointment in the Stevenage way," chairman Phil Wallace told the BBC.
Smith started his coaching career with Wimbledon before moving onto Wycombe and Watford. He then joined the Arsenal backroom staff where he was eventually sent to America to help coach Colorado.
He quickly impressed and was handed the role of head coach in 2008 before deciding to call time late last year after his contract was not renewed.
"We want young management who are motivated to succeed," added the Stevenage chairman. "Gary is young but he has already won silverware at the highest level possible in the US.
"Now he wants the opportunity to make his mark on the English game."
Stevenage had come up from the conference and have been in fantastic form this season as they push for yet another promotion to the Championship.
The club currently lie in 6th place in League One and are just eight points behind second placed Huddersfield.
