Football Association executive director David Davies - England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's biggest ally - will quit his post after next year's World Cup. Davies, who will end a 13-year stint, insists his departure will have no effect on Eriksson, whose current contract runs until 2008.
Davies said: "Everyone says I'm an ally of Sven and of course I am.
"But he has other allies here at the FA. It's my decision to leave and it is not related to his position."
Former BBC journalist Davies has been firmly in Eriksson's corner during the England coach's run-ins with his employers.
He most notably stood behind Eriksson in the aftermath of the England coach's affair with FA secretary Faria Alam.
Although the fallout from the affair prompted the resignations of then FA chief executive Mark Palios and communications director Colin Gibson, both Eriksson and Davies survived.
Davies and FA chairman Geoff Thompson both escaped public censure, but were privately criticised for mis-management of the episode which damaged the FA's reputation.
Eriksson has also found Davies one of his staunchest supporters in negotiating his new contract, and in matters such as getting a four-week clean break for the England squad before next summer's World Cup.
Davies insists he is leaving his post as he wants to explore other possibilities.
MMIX
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