The 51-year-old, had a successful stint at Home Park from October 2000 to March 2004 before leaving for a 14 game stint at Southampton. He has left Swindon to succeed Ian Holloway, who quit to join Leicester City.
A compensation has been agreed with Swindon for Sturrock, who joined the Robins a year ago, guiding them to automatic promotion after their 1-1 draw with Walsall in the last game of the season. His coaching team of Kevin Summerfield and John Blackley will also travel back down south.
Financial troubles have hampered his Swindon ambitions but there are sure to be a number of candidates waiting to replace him.