Mike Ford has been appointed to take charge of first-team affairs at three-time European champions Toulon.
Former Bath boss and England assistant coach Ford initially joined the club as backs coach earlier this season.
And Toulon have now put the 50-year-old Lancastrian at the first team helm in place of Diego Dominguez.
Ford began his new role on Monday, with his first game in charge set to be a Top 14 clash against Grenoble next weekend.
Toulon are currently fourth in the Top 14, while their European Champions Cup campaign began with a home defeat against Saracens earlier this month, followed by an unconvincing away victory over Sale Sharks three days ago.
In a brief statement released by the club, Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal said: " I have decided to entrust the helm of the first team to Mike Ford.
"He has accepted this mission.
"I will not comment on the reasons for my decision."
Ford, father of England fly-half George Ford, was dismissed by Bath towards the end of last term.
The previous campaign, he led the west country club to the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham, where Bath were beaten by Saracens, and a European Cup quarter-final.
Bath finished ninth in the Premiership during Ford's final season in charge, losing 13 of their 22 games.
On the international stage, Ford worked with England as defence specialist for 68 Tests, having previously been on Ireland's coaching staff.
Source: PA
