Peterborough have confirmed the appointment of Kettering manager Mark Cooper as the new boss at London Road.

Cooper, 40, took charge of the Poppies' 2-0 Blue Square Premier win at Cambridge this afternoon but will take charge of the Coca-Cola Championship strugglers from Monday.

Cooper - who has no league managerial experience - has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract and replaces Darren Ferguson, who left by mutual consent on Tuesday.

Cooper has appointed former Barnsley and Wigan full-back Nicky Eaden as his assistant manager and has a week to prepare his new side for the trip to Sheffield United on November 21.

A club statement said: "We ask all supporters to get behind Mark and his management team and are looking forward to our fixture at Sheffield United."

Chairman Darragh MacAnthony interviewed a short-list of candidates this week but moved for Cooper after agreeing a compensation package with Kettering chairman Imraan Ladak.

Cooper leaves the non-League side just a fortnight before they host Leeds in a televised FA Cup second-round tie and takes over a club at the bottom of the Championship.

He has a tough task in replacing Ferguson, who led the Cambridgeshire club to successive promotions before leaving this week.

Cooper guided Kettering to third place in the Blue Square Premier and they beat League One Hartlepool in last weekend's FA Cup first round.

MacAnthony said earlier this week that he was after a young manager who could sort out the club's defensive problems.

He said: "The criteria is someone who can lead us to a top-12 finish and who can sort us out defensively.

"If we get it right at the back then we can have a hell of a season."

Cooper told the club's official website: "It's a fantastic opportunity and I am really pleased to be here.

"It all happened very quickly but I am ready. Football is the same at every level and the only difference is the players I will have here will be much better.

"As long as you get the basics right and your methods are right then I don't think there will be a problem.

"I have always had good results working within strict financial constraints and look forward to that continuing.

"Nigel Clough went from the Conference to Derby and there are a lot of good coaches out there. You have to get your hands dirty.

"I have hammered pegs into goal nets and washed kit so I have served my apprenticeship and am ready to step up.

"I am hard working, organised and well prepared and I will get the best from these players."

McAnthony said: "It's great to have a new management team in place so quickly and I have no doubt that they will do great things for this club.

"I interviewed five or six people and nobody was as enthusiastic as Mark.

"People will be surprised that I have gone for a non-league manager but that didn't really come into it. I spoke to people from all levels of football and all different ages but I was looking for a certain character and I believe I have a winner.

"I unearthed a gem before in Darren Ferguson and I believe I have another."