ENGLISHMAN John Herdman was appointed head coach of the Canada men’s team today after over six years in charge of the national women’s side.

The Co Durham-born 42-year-old switches roles after impressing with the women’s team, who won Olympic bronze medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

As hosts of the 2015 World Cup, Canada were knocked out by England in the quarter-finals.

Herdman was linked with the England vacancy following the sacking of Mark Sampson in September. But it emerged late last year that he was no longer in the running for the post, which has yet to be filled.

Now Herdman has his first high-profile coaching role in the men’s game, replacing Octavio Zambrano and taking on responsibility for a team who have not qualified for the World Cup since 1986 and will again be absent at Russia 2018.

Herdman said: “It’s a great honour to join the men’s national team programme and I want to thank Canada Soccer for this opportunity to grow and develop the sport in this country through a one country, one system approach.

“Working with Canada Soccer’s women’s programme, and the remarkable players and staff who have made the past six years so incredible, has been an absolute privilege.”

He added: “In taking on the roles of men’s programme director and men’s national team head coach, I am keen to put a lasting mark on a programme full of potential as we work towards the ultimate goal of representing Canada on the world’s biggest stage at the World Cup.”

Newcastle supporter Herdman, who was raised in Consett, began work with Canada’s women’s team in September 2011 having previously achieved success with the New Zealand women’s side.

Canada Soccer general secretary Peter Montopoli said: “It is easy to point to John’s record with Canada to demonstrate his effectiveness as a high-performance coach, in earning back-to-back Summer Olympic medals he’s achieved in team sport something no other coach in Canada has done in over 100 years.

“What makes him exemplary, though, is his work ethic, his passion, his preparation and his attention to detail. We are looking forward to John bringing his expertise to our men’s national team programme.”