Apart from coaching the South African national team Baxter (54) has been at the helm of a number of Scandinavian club sides, as well as being involved with the England youth.
“He has enough international experience and results from tight spots, so we think we have found the right person to take the national team to the World Cup,” said Pekka Hamalainen, chairman of Finnish FA.
Finland has never qualified for the finals of a major tournament.
