Colin Montgomerie believes that Darren Clarke has all the right attributes to retain the Ryder Cup for Europe at Hazeltine in 2016.
The 46-year-old Irishman was named captain this afternoon after a five-man selection panel unanimously decided that the 2011 Open Championship winner was the right man for the role.
Montgomerie, David Howell, Jose Maria Olazabal, George O'Grady and last year's Europe captain Paul McGinley picked Clarke ahead of contenders Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn.
"We had three very able candidates and a unanimous decision, which was a delight for the panel," Montgomerie told Sky Sports News. "We spoke to Darren and we wish him well to retain the trophy.
"It's an unenviable task - America want it back badly and he will have all our support. They do want revenge, they set up their task force and had their own internal wranglings about what they can do to win it back.
"We have selected a captain that I am convinced will retain the Ryder Cup and bring it home. I think he will be a very good communicator with the players individually, which is most important as a captain. He has the respect of the players."
Clarke has won the Ryder Cup four out of the five tournaments that he has played in.
