Grimsby Town have confirmed Mike Newell as their new manager in a press conference at Monday lunchtime.

The Liverpool-born 43-year-old was an interested onlooker at Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Rotherham United, and the Mariners were quick to appoint a new boss in the aftermath of that loss.

His managerial career began at Hartlepool in 2002 when he took over from Chris Turner, who took on a plum job at Sheffield Wednesday.

Newell sealed promotion from Division Three, but reports said that he didn't get on with the board of directors at Victoria Park. As a result, his contract was not renewed.

The following summer, he took over at Luton following a controversial Pop Idol-style fan poll to select the new manager of the Hatters.

His appointment proved successful, taking a cash-strapped club to the verge of the play-offs in his first season, and then becoming the first ever champions of the newly-named League One in 2005, winning 98 points.

They enjoyed a successful first year back in the Championship but, after reportedly been forced to sell players, Newell parted company in March of last year.

Newell officially takes over on Wednesday.