Ex-FA chief executive Watmore interested in replacing Dyke

Watmore is an Arsenal fan

Former Football Association chief executive Ian Watmore is interested in replacing outgoing chairman Greg Dyke.

The former civil servant, 57, resigned in 2010 after just nine months in charge but is now thought to be considering a potential return.

Dyke announced on Thursday he would stand down as chairman in July over opposition to his governance reforms.

Watmore, whose son Duncan plays for Sunderland, was a member of the England 2015 Rugby World Cup board.

Dyke, appointed in 2013, had intended to stand for a further year.

However, he said that opposition to proposed reforms from some FA councillors and a minority of board members had made him reconsider.