The FA appoints Ofcom's Julian Eccles to its top comms job

Eccles refused to confirm he was set to take the job when contacted earlier this week, while current FA director of communications Adrian Bevington said he had no knowledge of the search process.

However, the FA issued a statement on Thursday acknowledging Eccles' appointment. It said that Eccles would assume responsibility for public relations, customer relations, media relations, marketing, public affairs and corporate social responsibility at a date ‘yet to be confirmed'.

The new position has been created by Bevington changing roles to become Club England managing director after this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Eccles has served as director of comms at Ofcom since April 2007. Previously he was director of communications and corporate affairs at BSkyB. He has also worked at British Interactive Broadcasting and as a special adviser to former culture secretary Chris Smith at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

He also had a four year stint at Hill & Knowlton in the mid-1990s, where he was an associate director.

FA Chief Executive Ian Watmore said: ‘I am delighted we have been able to recruit someone of Julian's calibre and breadth of experience. He comes with exceptional references and I know he will make a big impact for The FA as we face the challenges ahead.'