Aguirre will take charge of El Tri for the second time after leading them to the round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup.

The 50-year-old had frequently been linked with the post after he was sacked as Atletico Madrid boss in February, with Mexico's poor form intensifying those rumours.

Aguirre has distanced himself from the role as early as last month, but following Eriksson's sacking yesterday - less than a year into his tenure - he has answered an SOS from the Mexican football association.

Late last night he met the governing body's president, Justino Compean, and the director of the committee of national teams, Nestor de la Torre, in Mexico City before agreeing a new deal.

He will take charge of a Mexico side that has has won just one of its past six World Cup qualifiers and who sit fourth in their CONCACAF qualifying group to reach the 2010 finals in South Africa.

According to a Mexican FA statement Aguirre will be officially presented on April 16, with his first game in charge due to come away to El Salvador on June 6.