FA play it safe with new chairman David Bernstein

23 December 2010 00:22
The FA played it ultra cautious with their surprise appointment of David Bernstein as the new chairman of English football's troubled organising body. [LNB]Bernstein, the Wembley and former Manchester City chairman, is regarded as a safe pair of hands by an FA hierarchy, who have had a close relationship with him during his seven years at the national stadium. [LNB]The FA preferred to select from inside their Wembley headquarters rather than risk the more radical choice of England 2018 international president David Dein, who had been widely expected to get the job. [LNB] Experienced: David Bernstein is a former Manchester City chairman[LNB]Bernstein, 67, benefited from the 'better the devil you know' factor, having worked on the Wembley board alongside Bolton's Phil Gartside, who headed the FA's selection team. [LNB]The Association's general secretary Alex Horne was also Wembley managing director before switching to the parent company. [LNB]Bernstein, whose business plus football track record was regarded as crucial, was the only name put forward by Gartside's nominations committee to the FA board. They took less than 30 minutes to approve Bernstein unanimously to fill the void left by the departure of former chairman Lord Triesman in May.[LNB] Bernstein still needs to have his role rubber stamped by the full FA Council on January 25, but that will be a formality. He will also stay on as chairman of Wembley while Sir Dave Richards, chairman of Club England, has already indicated he will allow the FA's new chairman to take the lead on England matters. [LNB]Who is he? Bernstein helped come up with the FCUK branding while on the board of French Connection.[LNB]Helped Francis Lee with his campaign strategy to take over Manchester City before becoming chairman. [LNB]President of the National Association ofDisabled Supporters. [LNB]Bernstein said finding the 'preferably English' successor to Fabio Capello in 18 months time was 'one of many important issues'. [LNB]However, some within football regard the appointment as a missed opportunity for a root-and-branch shake-up of the organisation. Bernstein says he likes to rule by consensus rather than pull up trees by himself. [LNB]Former Arsenal and FA vice-chairman Dein, who is the same age as Bernstein, would have been more likely to bring about the much-needed changes in the three years before the FA chairman is required to stand down at the age of 70. [LNB]Dein, despite another crushing disappointment following the England 2018 debacle, reacted in a typically dignified manner. He said: 'I know and like David very much, I hope he does a great job.' [LNB]Hopefully, Dein's skills and unrivalled football contacts book will not be lost to the game. [LNB]Bernstein, who will look to change the 70 age limit further down the line, said: 'It's a wonderful opportunity and a great privilege. It's not the easiest time to take over this role, but I'm delighted and extremely excited by the prospect. I'll be working very hard. I'll be speaking to a lot of people over the next four or five weeks, people who are inside and outside football, to understand the issues, get a consensus and get a list of priority issues. [LNB]'If I have one quality, it' s diplomacy. I want the whole FA board pulling in the same direction, I can't make changes on my own.' [LNB] Important issue: Finding a successor for Fabio Capello as England manager will be one of Bernstein's tasks, but not for 18 months he says[LNB]The Government, who were known to approve of Dein and have threatened to regulate the FA, nevertheless reacted positively to the choice of Bernstein. [LNB]Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson said: 'I welcome the nomination. He has a strong background both in the business and football worlds and I wish him every success. The challenge for him will be to build a stronger FA.'[LNB] A chartered accountant, Bernstein was Manchester City chairman for five years, securing the lease for the move to Eastlands. He also sits on the boards of several companies including French Connection, Ted Baker and struggling Blacks Leisure, where he has been chairman since 1996. [LNB]Bernstein's reputation has survived the fiasco of the Wembley pitch and he has gone on the record saying the problems are 'behind them' following the laying of the DESSO surface last June. However the pitch has still to survive the ravages of this winter. [LNB]Acting FA chairman Roger Burden, who withdrew as a candidate for the permanent job three weeks ago, said: 'The board were united in their view David would make an excellent choice as chairman. I have worked with David for some years and have always been impressed by his professionalism and integrity.' [LNB]Gartside said: 'David was the outstanding candidate. He combines strong business and leadership skills with tremendous insight and knowledge of football.' [LNB]Triesman called Bernstein a 'sensible and sound reformer'. [LNB] Bernstein named shock FA chairman as favourite Dein misses out on roleI would prefer an Englishman to boss England, insists new FA chairmanCarra's calling: England target veteran as man to lead their next generation [LNB]  Explore more:People: Fabio Capello, Alex Horne, Hugh Robertson, David Dein Places: United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail