Former Wanderers defender Radhi Jaidi has been appointed as manager of Tunisian side Esperance Sportive de Tunis.

Jaidi came through the ranks at Esperance and made 17 first-team appearances before joining the Whites in the summer of 2004.

The 45-year-old previously managed Southampton’s Under-23 side and also had a spell as head coach at Hatrford Athletic in the United States.

Earlier this year, he joined Belgian side Cercle Brugge as assistant manager and spent six months in the Belgian top-flight.

“I always have strategies in my work,” said Jaidi. “In Southampton, I worked a lot on leadership and in the USA I consolidated my achievements. 

“My return to Europe was part of a big project and I had the objective of becoming the first (African manager in the Premier League). 

"The opportunity was offered to me and there are all the assets for it to be successful. Currently there are some doubts and questions that arise. I am here to answer them. 

"The club is built to win”.

Jaidi made 53 appearances for the Whites, becoming the first Tunisian player in Premier League history.

The defender joined Birmingham City two years later. He spent three seasons at St Andrew’s before making the move to Southampton, where he finished his playing career.

On the international stage, he earned more than 100 caps for Tunisia and featured at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.