Stuart Baxter named new Finland coach

Helsingborg's coach Stuart Baxter (L) and Olafir Skulason are pictured during their UEFA Cup group H match against Austria Vienna in Helsingborg November 29, 2007. Finland appointed Stuart Baxter as head coach on a two-year contract on Monday, the Finnish FA said.

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland appointed Stuart Baxter as head coach on a two-year contract on Monday, the Finnish FA said.

Englishman Baxter, 54, has previously coached the South Africa national team as well as a host of club sides in the Nordic countries.

"He has enough international experience and results from tight spots, so we think we have found the right person to take the national team to the World Cup," said Pekka Hamalainen, FA chairman.

Finland have never qualified for the finals of a major tournament.

(Reporting by Sakari Suoninen, editing by Justin Palmer)