Kevin Keegan walks out

Crozier, born on the Isle of Bute and a lifelong Celtic fan, was joint chief executive of advertising giants Saatchi and Saatchi when he was appointed as FA chief executive.

He was destined for the top after he became the youngest board director in their history at the age of 26 in 1990, rising to chief executive four years later.

As a teenager he had trials with Hibernian and Stirling Albion before making his name in the world of advertising.

His first contact with the FA came as part of a team of communications advisors to the England 2006 World Cup bid.

And Crozier - a driving force behind football's new disciplinary crackdown - has already made the revolutionary declaration that the runners and riders to succeed Keegan will not be restricted to Englishmen.

It was a clear statement of intent from a man with a reputation for seeing the bigger picture, for refusing to be bound by the old fashioned restraints that have inhabited FA headquarters in years gone by.

Crozier comes from the cut-throat world of advertising after heading up Saatchi and Saatchi, and has wasted no time making an impact since arriving at Lancaster Gate last January.

One of the charges levelled against him was that he made his mark with a series of hirings and firings in the shallow end of the FA pool - but was slow to spot problems with the bigger fish, namely Keegan himself.

Noel White is part of FA old guard

But it was proof of his determination to instigate change, and he has already signalled his intent by master-minding the appointment of Keegan's successor.

He will personally head-hunt the new manager, and his style has suggested that while the long-standing international committee will be consulted, he will make the decisions.

Crozier means business, and while the once all-powerful old guard will, as they have done in the past, form a sub-committee for this crucial recruitment, they will not make the final decision.

They will be consulted, but it is already clear who will take the lead on this appointment.

And it will be Adam Crozier. The man who has the ultimate power to hire and fire at the FA.

Crozier has won a reputation as a good listener, keeping the best advice and discarding the rest.

But he also has a clear view on appointments made by committee - and the suspicion is he doesn't like them.

Terry Venables is an England contender

Crozier said after Keegan's departure: "I will do a lot of listening to people who have anything to do with England. You can only have one person doing that. You can't have groups of people making decisions. It doesn't work."

It seemed like a message to the international committee that while their views are welcomed, Crozier will shape the future of England's national team.

Crozier's business background made sure he had contingencies in place should Keegan fulfil the lingering fear that he was always one more emotional outburst from a resignation.

He said: "We have contingencies for the proverbial someone being run over by a bus, but we will take our time."

Crozier has become increasingly influential at FA headquarters, re-organising and changing to accommodate the needs of the modern game.

He has a reputation for refusing to shy away from the big decision - and his next one may be the biggest he has ever had to face.