Chief executive Barwick to leave English FA

By Mike Collett

LONDON (Reuters) - Chief executive Brian Barwick is to leave the English Football Association (FA) at the end of the year, the FA said on Wednesday.

News of the decision came as England were drawing 2-2 with Czech Republic in a friendly at Wembley.

Barwick, a former controller of sport for ITV television, became FA chief executive in January 2005 and was largely responsible for appointing Steve McClaren as England manager after Sven-Goran Eriksson left the job following the 2006 World Cup.

He was also instrumental in replacing McClaren with Italian Fabio Capello earlier this year after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

"This decision follows several weeks of discussions with FA Chairman Lord Triesman on the role of the Chief Executive within the new FA structure," Barwick was quoted as saying in an FA statement.

"I am sad to be leaving The FA - an organisation it has been a privilege to lead - but I believe it is in the best interests of all parties. I have always endeavoured to do my job with passion, decency and integrity and I believe I am leaving a strong legacy for the future.

"We have achieved a lot over the past three and a half years: opening the new Wembley Stadium, implementing the structural review and increasing our broadcast and commercial contracts to record income levels."

Barwick's role had altered since the appointment of David Triesman as FA chairman earlier this year and there were differences between the two on what the role of the chief executive should be.