Italian Sergio Scariolo, a long-time coach in Spain's top flight who took the helm of Russian side BC Khimki in December, is to lead the Spanish national team for the next four years.

The Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) confirmed the news after FEB president José Luis Sáez and executive director Jesús Bueno met with Khimki director general Victor Bychkova in Moscow on Wednesday.

Scariolo, who last coached in Spain in 2007-08 at Unicaja Malaga, will continue to hold the reins of Khimki.

"We want to thank Khimki for the interest they have shown in reaching an agreement that will undoubtedly be beneficial for everyone," Sáez said.

"It is a pleasure for me personally and for the Spanish federation that for four years, I can count on a coach of his reputation, expertise and involvement in Spanish basketball."

Khimki asked that Scariolo present a plan in writing, detailing how his coaching duties would be handled while he was away on national team duty, and approved it.

Scariolo will be presented to the media in Madrid on February 19 or 20.

The FEB said in their statement about the Scariolo deal that they will have different channels of collaboration with Khimki although no specifics were mentioned.

Scariolo had been widely tipped to take the helm.

He will this summer lead the national side at EuroBasket 2009 in Poland with group games against Serbia, Slovenia and Great Britain.

If Spain qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, EuroBasket 2011 in Lithuania and the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Scariolo will be in charge.

Scariolo first coached in Spain in 1997 at Tau Ceramica.

"A coach that wants to be at the maximum level cannot choose a country to coach or to build roots, although I personally did that," he recently said.

"The experience abroad has made me become stronger because it's the hurdles that you overcome that make you jump higher."

Scariolo started with his family and a group of friends last year the Fundacion Cesare Scariolo in Malaga, a non-profit organization to help children suffering from leukaemia and their families.

The foundation was set up in the memory of his father, Cesare.