LONDON: Martin Glenn is to leave the Football Association at the end of the season, prompting a head-hunting operation to find a new chief executive.

Glenn, who has been at the FA for four years, was acknowledged in an FA statement as “having delivered much of what he came to do . . . [creating] a culture around St George’s Park and the England teams which has led to an unprecedented period of success”.

Glenn said it had been a “huge honour and a privilege” to lead the FA.

He added: “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.”

Since Glenn took charge of the FA in 2015, England’s men’s and women’s teams have both reached a World Cup semi-final while the men’s Under-17 and Under-20 teams both won their age-group World Cups.

Glenn also oversaw a revamp of the English football fixture schedule with a winter break to be introduced from next season and has led the FA’s attempts to increase diversity, both at the organisation and in wider football, including adopting the ‘Rooney Rule’ for roles in the England set-up.

During his four years in charge the FA’s revenue has increased by 40pc which allowed the organisation to invest a record £127m into the game for the financial year ending 31 July 2017.

However, no ceo at the FA can escape criticism and controversy.

In Glenn’s case that meant the muddled departure of men’s and women’s managers Sam Allardyce and Mark Sampson and the failed pursuit of the sale of Wembley.

FA chairman Greg Clarke said Glenn leaves an organisation that is “fit for purpose, more diverse, internationally respected and ready to progress to the next level”.

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.”

The Premier League said: “[We] would like to pay tribute to his excellent work leading the organisation.

“During his four-year tenure, the England men’s and women’s teams reached World Cup semi-finals, England age group teams achieved unprecedented success and the women’s game has continued to thrive.”

Glenn said he hoped the FA would build on his legacy by “accelerating the breakthrough of English-qualified players into the first teams”.

“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,” he added.

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