By Phil McNulty BBC Sport Online chief football writer

Adam Crozier is the first high-profile victim of the bitter power struggle between the FA and the Premier League - but he may not be the last.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has already delivered a clear indication of his concern about Crozier's treatment.

And this undoubtedly casts a cloud over his long-term future, with the so-called Team England revolving around the powerful Eriksson-Crozier package.

Crozier (left) and Eriksson had a close relationship

Crozier was the driving force behind the appointment of Eriksson in November 2000, playing the leading role in luring the Swede from Lazio in Rome.

He ignored the xenophobes who reacted in horror at the idea of a foreigner taking charge of the country that claims it gave football to the world.

Crozier insisted his only brief was to get the best man for the job, and once the dynamic Scot decided that was Eriksson, the deed was effectively done.

He sold Eriksson his strategy of building for the long-term, grooming an English coach to be his successor and mapping out a golden future for the game in this country.

But with Crozier gone, that strategy is defunct and Eriksson may well question his own part in it.

Eriksson and Crozier effectively come as a pair at the head of English football's planning.

One of the first images after England's historic 5-1 World Cup qualifying win in Germany was of Crozier joining Eriksson on the touchline to warmly congratulate him on his triumph.

Crozier welcomes Eriksson as England coach

It was a sign of their bond, and throughout the recent trauma of seeing his private life laid bare in public, Eriksson has remained safe in the knowledge that Crozier was complete in his support.

If there had been doubts about Eriksson's loyalty in his personal dealings, they never applied to his professional business and his close link with Crozier.

Eriksson may not feel so secure without Crozier as his shield, and with suggestions rife that he is unhappy at his recent treatment, upheaval at the FA will hardly be welcomed.

The Swede has built up a partnership built on trust and support with Crozier.

And with some still keen to undermine Eriksson, particularly the Terry Venables media fan club, he may feel vulnerable.

If Eriksson is wavering over pledging his long-term future to England, then Crozier's departure may just push him in the direction of Soho Square exit.