The former doubles champion, who was Pete Sampras' coach for six years and is currently training British number two Tim Henman, will spend 20 weeks of the year working with the Lawn Tennis Association in a new coaching setup which is head by former Davis Cup captain Paul Hutchins, appointed as the new head of men's tennis.

Despite the occasional tournament victory by Henman, Greg Rusedski and Andy Murray in recent years, British tennis remains in the doldrums. Not a single woman is ranked among the top 100 in the world and the men's Davis Cup team was relegated to two levels below the world group.

While Annacone takes on the head coaching role for men's tennis, the women's job goes to Carl Maes, a Belgian who is a former coach to Kim Clijsters.

The LTA announced a total of seven appointments on Thursday as part of its new 'Tennis Leadership Team'.

Hutchins gets the key position but can call on Americans Annacone and Brad Gilbert to "create a new 'winning' culture both with our players and coaches".

Gilbert was taken on by the LTA in July to work with British number one Murray, as well as "other projects".

Peter Lundgren, who has worked with Roger Federer and Marat Safin, then joined the Great Britain team as Davis Cup coach last month before LTA chief executive Roger Draper unveiled a blueprint for the future of British tennis.

The new line-up is the result of what the LTA called "an extensive worldwide search" for new coaches.

"We asked for 'world-class' and that is what we have," said Draper. "The real job starts now for the team."

Annacone had been in contention for the position of head of men's tennis, but was unable to take it due to family commitments.

"We would have loved Paul to live here full-time, but we have the best of both worlds," said Draper.

"We didn't want him to be sat behind a desk looking at structures; we wanted him out on the court doing what he does best."

And Draper denied that it was a backward step to appoint Hutchins, who was heavily involved with the LTA until 1987.

"I don't think it is," Draper told Five Live.

"A big part of Paul Hutchins' role is to get the system and the organisation in place and make sure the investments are going in the right areas."

Maes has arguably the toughest job in tackling the desperate situation in women's tennis - the highest ranked British woman is Anne Keothavong at number 144.

"Carl is one of the most experienced and respected women's coaches in the world," said an LTA statement.

Henman welcomed Annacone's appointment.

"It was obvious, given the length of discussions between Paul and the LTA, that something was going to happen and I think appointing him is a positive move by the LTA," four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Henman said.

Henman has never made a Grand Slam final and is striving to get back in the top 20 from a current ranking of 39.

"Our relationship has been nice and flexible," Henman said. "I haven't wanted a full-time coach, and he hasn't wanted to travel all the time because of his family."

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