After England, Spurs and Lazio Gazzamania comes to Kettering

Gascoigne, 38, who has had shortlived coaching spells in China, Portugal and at Boston United, is likely to join the manager he succeeds, Kevin Wilson, in the dug-out as Kettering host Droylsden tomorrow.

Wilson becomes director of football, with the former Arsenal midfielder Paul Davis becoming Gascoigne's assistant. They face a testing start, Stevenage Borough visit Rockingham Road in the FA Cup first round a week tomorrow.

The group which installed Gascoigne is headed by the Milton Keynes-based businessman Imraan Ladek, who said Gascoigne had made a "substantial investment" in the takeover.

Ladek said he and Gascoigne would do "whatever it takes" to achieve Football League status, starting by turning the semi-professional players into full-timers. "Paul [is] determined, passionate and motivated," he added.

Gascoigne was "excited" to be back and pleased he no longer had to stave off boredom by accepting offers from "celebrity" television shows. "It beats Strictly Ice Dancing," he said.