Published Wednesday, 22 February 2012
The new boss will meet the players for the first time on Thursday and Roy Coyle will take charge of the team for the last time this weekend, before Eddie Patterson takes over the reins from the beginning of next week.
In a statement released on the club's website, the new manager described how excited he is by the new job.
He said: "This is a fantastic club with a special history and I am excited about helping Glentoran create a great future.
"Their recent results show that there is a strong resolve in this team and I want to strengthen and build on that."
"I have used the past few months to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of Irish League football and believe that this will help me as I work with the coaching and playing staff throughout the club to achieve the success that everyone at Glentoran demands," he said.
The former Cliftonville manager saw off competition from Newry boss Pat McGibbon as well as Roy Walker and Ian Foster.
Patterson had tried for managerial positions at Glenavon and Ballymena United since his departure from Solitude last April.
In the club statement, the Chairman of the club's board of directors, Terence Brannigan said the process of appointing the new manager had been very rigorous.
Terence Brannigan said: "We were very impressed with Eddie's strong passion for the game and for his desire to be involved in all levels of football at Glentoran.
"We are all looking forward to an exciting future at Glentoran and we believe Eddie shares our vision to build a team that will play the kind of attractive football for which Glentoran became famous and to achieve the success we and our supporters want for our club."
"The Board were impressed with the enthusiasm and professionalism shown by all of the candidates for the Glentoran Manager's job and I wish to place on record our appreciation for their interest and involvement in the selection process."
"This is an extremely important appointment for us as it comes at a time when Glentoran Football Club is developing ambitious long-term plans both on and off the pitch.
"It is our intention to create a new multi-purpose stadium at the centre of a development scheme in East Belfast which will include a range of community and commercial facilities as well as those for sports and leisure.
"However, at the heart of all of this must be a team that can carry forward the proud history of our club and this is what Eddie will be forging for Glentoran in the weeks and months to come," he said.