QUITO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Hernan Dario Gomez has been named coach of Ecuador for a second time, the Ecuadorian Football Federation announced on Wednesday.

The 62-year-old Colombian signed a four-year contract that will see him take charge of the Tricolor until after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Gomez also coached Ecuador from 1999 to 2004, leading the team to their first ever World Cup appearance in 2002.

"I'm very happy to be here, at home," Gomez told reporters. "I always thought that I'd come back one day."

Gomez takes over from interim coach Jorge Celico, who replaced Gustavo Quinteros last September after the side's failure to qualify for the recently completed World Cup in Russia.

The announcement came just two weeks after Gomez quit as coach of Panama, whom he guided to their maiden World Cup berth this summer.

He has also coached the national teams of Colombia and Guatemala.