The Football Association is searching for a new chief executive for the second time in four years after Adam Crozier's resignation.

Crozier quit after refusing to compromise on his opposition to plans put forward by Premier League chairmen to take more control of the game.

Paul Barber, the FA's head of marketing and communication and Crozier's right-hand man, is also now considering his position despite a show of support from the FA.

It was those board members who increasingly lost faith in Crozier amid concerns he was not consulting them enough over major decisions and was being too autocratic.

Crozier felt there was no option but to resign when FA chairman Geoff Thompson failed to publicly back him.

The Scot, thought to earn �600,000-a-year, is expected to receive a negotiated pay-off.

Crozier will stay on at the FA for another couple of months while a replacement is found, possibly taking him to the end of the year.

That should give the FA some stability, something they lacked when Crozier's predecessor Graham Kelly was forced out amid controversy at the end of 1998.

Thompson said: "The two vice-chairmen and I have asked Adam to remain with us for some time in order to ensure a smooth transition for the benefit of the FA.

"We are delighted that Adam has accepted this proposal."

The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Scudamore, is being tipped as a possible replacement for Crozier.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has lost his biggest ally at the FA, has pledged to carry on in the job.

In the meantime, the debate over the introduction of a professional game board - one of the reasons for Crozier's departure - will continue.