DUBAI Roy Hodgson has signed a two-year contract with the UAE Football Association to coach the country's national team.

"We decided to select Hodgson because he has the required experience for the job," Mattar al-Tayer, secretary general of the UAE FA, told reporters after a three-hour meeting with the English coach on Saturday night.

"We hope Hodgson will contribute in raising the standard of UAE football."

Hodgson coached Switzerland's campaign at the 1994 World Cup and has also had spells in charge at Inter Milan, Udinese and Blackburn Rovers, Reuters reported.

The UAE failed to qualify for the World Cup finals and at January's Persian Gulf Cup they won just one match of five.

"I have a good chance to do something good for the UAE football," said Hodgson.

"A new phase in my coaching career has begun. "I have been in the profession for over 25 years and all I have to think is to establish myself in the Persian Gulf region as I did in Europe.

Hodgson first visited the UAE in 1992 with the Swiss national team which played against the UAE senior and Olympic teams, but said he had lost touch with the Persian Gulf side's recent achievements.

"I have no idea about the UAE football team at the moment, but what I expect from the UAE FA to is to provide me with all necessary support and facilities to accomplish my mission," he added.

"I also expect the players to be disciplined and behave in a professional manner.

"What matters is that when I return home, the people here should say that Hodgson did something good for UAE football and worked honestly and professionally."