New Omonia Nicosia manager Neil Lennon reveals the deal was completed in a matter of days after a weekend phonecall.
The Irishman had been out of work for just over a year after leaving Celtic, but has agreed a deal with the Cypriot champions until 2024.
Lennon hasn't worked outside of the UK as a manager but has opted to take the plunge with Nicosia.
And he revealed that it was only over the weekend that he received the approach from Cyprus.
Lennon said on talkSPORT: "I got a phone call from an agent at the weekend saying that Omonia would be interested in taking on my services.
"I did a bit of research on it, spoke to representatives of the club, the president and had a look at some of the recent games. I have to say I was quite impressed by the standard and attitude of the players.
"They are the current champions but haven't had a great season this year but are still in the cup competition which we obviously want to try and progress in.
"That's the target now, finish the season well and try and win a trophy.
"You always have reservations about any of these things but I always fancied the opportunity to work abroad. I think it will be a nice climate change but that is not the be-all and end-all. I think more than anything it is a nice challenge and one that really appeals to me.
"It's a big club. I think it is quite a competitive league and at the end of it if you are successful, there is the opportunity to take the club into Europe again.
"They've got a chance of winning trophies but it is overall being back in the game and new challenge and culture to take on and see where it takes me."
Lennon also reflected on the end of his time at Celtic, which was marred by disharmony and protests as 10 In A Row went up in smoke.
He said: "I had a good time at Celtic. It didn't end well but I've been at Hibs and Bolton and done over 500 games.
"I sort of spent a lot of time in Scotland and wanted a new challenge and Omonia are going to give me this new challenge.
"It is very exciting, it is going to be different and take a little bit of adaption but having more and more looked at it and researched it, it ticked a lot of boxes for me.
"There is always the opportunity to come back again anyway, but for the short-term and the next sort of year or so my full focus is going to be on Omonia."
