Greg Dyke To Take Over As FA Chairman

Former BBC director general Greg Dyke is set to take over from David Bernstein as chairman of the Football Association.

Dyke, who will stand down from his role as chairman of Brentford to take up the post at the FA, spent four years at the BBC and was also director of Manchester United. Should the appointment gain approval from the FA Council, Dyke would assume the role on 13th July following an executive search conducted by Nolan Partners.

Bernstein, who was named chairman in 2010, must stand down this year in order to comply with FA rules which state that the chairman of the organisation must relinquish his or her post before they turn 70.

Dyke said of the appointment: ‘I am very excited to take on this role with the FA. Football has always been a big part of my life. Obviously as chairman of the FA it is imperative that I am neutral so that means giving up my current role as chairman of Brentford, which I will miss. I do see one of the most important tasks for the FA as, over time, to make thoughtful changes that will benefit the England team.’

Dyke added: ‘The FA has made a great start by rebuilding Wembley and developing great facilities at St George’s Park but it is essential it finds a way to ensure that more talented young English footballers are given their chance in the professional game at the highest level.’

Mark Palios, former FA chief executive, said of the appointment: ‘It’s a pretty good appointment. He’s a very experienced guy in terms of a public position, which is very important. He’s used to dealing with governmental departments and agencies and my take on him is he’s a pretty down-to-earth bloke. He’s a football man but not in the sense of somebody who is tarred by the system – and I think in that regard it’s a good choice.’