Gonzalo Quesada will take charge of Italy for the 2024 Guinness Six Nations taking over from current head coach Kieran Crowley.
The former Argentina fly-half will take the reins of the Azzurri from January 1 2024, with the Guinness Six Nations being his first competition in charge.
Quesada arrives from Stade Français in the French Top 14, leading the Paris side to the play-offs this season.
He previously took charge of the Jaguares in his native Argentina, steering them to the final of Super Rugby, while he also won the Top 14 title in a first stint with Stade.
At international level, Quesada was part of the France coaching set-up between 2008 and 2011 under Marc Lièvremont, helping them to win the Grand Slam in 2010 before reaching the World Cup final the following year.
FIR president Marzio Innocenti said: “The arrival of Gonzalo Quesada on the bench for Italy is magnificent news for all our rugby. We have brought into our country and our movement one of the youngest, most sought-after coaches in the international game who shares our project and ambition and a vision of the national team which in the coming years, building up to the 2027 World Cup in Australia, will be a danger to every opponent.”
Quesada will take over from Crowley, looking to build on the success Italy have enjoyed under the New Zealander, including momentous victories over Wales and Australia in 2022, the latter their first-ever against the Wallabies.
He said: “I’m honoured and proud to become the coach of the Italy team in the coming years. I want to thank the federation, the president and the board for this opportunity and this great challenge.
“In recent seasons, Italy have improved greatly, building on their traditional strengths while developing an attractive game.”
