US confirm Bradley

"I'm proud, excited and honoured to be named coach of the U.S national team," Bradley said.

Since being in charge of the U.S. team Bradley has enjoyed wins over Mexico, Ecuador and Denmark.

"Our goal is clear: to build a team capable of being successful in the 2010 World Cup. We are off to a very good start, and I am looking forward to the challenging road ahead," said Bradley.

U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati, who before December had talked with former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann about the vacancy, said Bradley had signed a long-term deal to guide the team into the 2010 World Cup finals.

"Bob Bradley has shown everyone in the past few months just how ready he is for this job," Gulati said.

"Every decision he has made has been about the betterment of the team, and the betterment of the program, not about 'what might be best for the future of Bob Bradley.'

"While it has only been a few months, you can already see those decisions paying dividends. I firmly believe Bob has the ability to take this program forward," added Gulati.

Bradley has been head coach of three Major League Soccer teams -- Chicago Fire, New York-New Jersey Metrostars and Chivas USA -- and he was named MLS coach of the year in 1998 and 2006.

The new U.S. coach faces a busy few weeks with his team facing China on June 2 in San Jose before hosting the Gold Cup tournament from June 6.

The U.S. then head to Venezuela for the Copa America which begins on June 26.

Gulati said the Federation would now be looking for a technical director to handle a broader remit than Bradley's role as head coach and said that man could be a foreigner.

"We are open to anyone for the technical director position. This was an issue I discussed with Bob that it might be appropriate to look outside for that person, whether that be Europe, South America or in the U.S.," he said.

But Gulati said it was unlikely that Klinsmann would be interested in that role.

"From what I understand, I think Juergen is more interested in a coaching role," he said.