The Football Association has confirmed its Chief Executive Officer Martin Glenn will stand down at the end of this season.
During his four year tenure at the FA, Glenn has overseen an immense amount of success with both the men’s and women’s teams have reached a World Cup semi-final, whilst England have won two World Cups at youth level.
Glenn also sought to spearhead the controversial sale of Wembley to Fulham owner Shahid Khan, citing the once in a lifetime opportunity to fund grassroots football, before the sale eventually fell through due to Khan withdrawing the offer.
Departing the role, Glenn commented on the FA’s official website: “When I accepted the role of CEO at The FA, I was tasked with improving the effectiveness of the organisation and making it financially secure.
“I also joined with the strong belief that the England team’s performance in tournaments could and should improve, and that the experience of the millions of people who play football could be a better one.
“I will leave feeling proud of the success of the performance of all the England teams. I am confident that we have established in St. George’s Park, a world class centre which will ensure that the teams will continue to build on their current successes. I hope that The FA will be able to build on this by accelerating the breakthrough of English qualified players into the first teams.
Glenn continued: “Running The FA has been a huge honour and a privilege but I have only been able to achieve what I have been able to thanks to everyone who works here. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my staff for their commitment and dedication to running our national game.
“Football has a role in society far bigger than the game itself and undeniably makes us richer on many levels whether it be mass participation for both men and increasingly women, or the tremendous global appeal of our professional game. It has been a pleasure playing a part in this wonderful game.”
FA Chairman, Greg Clarke, added: “On behalf of the Board of The FA, I would like to thank Martin for building and leading a senior management team that has transformed our organisation.
“His integrity, commitment, energy and passion for football has underpinned the improvements on and off the pitch. The resulting commercial success has funded hugely significant change in the women’s game, St. George’s Park, the FA Cup and the national teams.
“Martin leaves as his legacy an organisation that is fit for purpose, more diverse, internationally respected and ready to progress to the next level.
“I and the organisation will miss his effective, principled and compassionate leadership and wish him well.”
