Former England defender Sol Campbell seen here with our Michael Yiakoumi has taken over as manager of League Two (fourth tier) club Macclesfield Town on an 18 month deal, the club said on Tuesday.

The 44-year-old, who played for Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal and won 73 caps for England, faces a tough task at Macclesfield who are bottom of the league, with just two wins from 19 games.

The club, promoted back into the Football League last season, has been without a manager since Mark Yates was sacked on Oct 8 after failing to win any of their first 12 league games.

Campbell, who will be taking up his first management position, has been working with England Under-21s as part of the Football Association’s plan which gives black and minority ethnic coaches experience in the national team set up. He also had a short spell as assistant manager of Trinidad and Tobago.