Former Udinese boss Francesco Guidolin has been confirmed as the new head coach of Swansea, the Premier League strugglers announced on Monday.

Guidolin has been brought in to work alongside interim manager Alan Curtis until the end of the season, although Swansea said the 60-year-old Italian will have the final say on team selection.

Swansea announced Guidolin's appointment just hours before their Premier League match at home to Watford on Monday, where a win would take the south Wales club out of the relegation zone.

Guidolin's first game in charge will be Sunday's league match away to Everton.

"We are very pleased with the appointment," Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins told the club's website. "His experience and knowledge will be a huge asset to the club."

Guidolin made his name guiding unfancied Udinese to successive top four finishes in Italy's Serie A in 2011 and 2012.

He previously had four separate spells in charge of Palermo where despite guiding the Sicilians to a best-ever top flight finish of fifth, he nonetheless fell foul of controversial owner Maurizio Zamparini, who has sacked 29 coaches since buying the club in 2002.

Jenkins, explaining how Guidolin would work alongside Curtis, added: "Although we recently appointed Alan Curtis as manager until the end of the campaign, he was aware and comfortable with the fact that we were still looking to bring someone in to assist if we found the right person.

"We believe we have found that person in Francesco. He has an excellent record, especially with Udinese over the last few years.

"He created an Udinese side from a relatively small budget -- compared to the rest of the league -- that competed with the big teams in Serie A.

"It is similar to what this football club is trying to do in the Premier League.

"He also has a wealth of knowledge of players throughout Europe which will be a big boost on our recruitment side; something we have been reviewing in a lot more depth over the last few months."

Guidolin and Swansea have agreed to review the position at the end of the season, with the option of extending his contract.

Last month Swansea sacked former manager Garry Monk after a run of only one win in 11 games left them precariously perched a point above the relegation zone.

As recently as last season Monk, a former Swansea defender, led the club to their best Premier League finish of eighth place.