19 Feb 2019
EFL boss Shaun Harvey steps down
BY Tom Walker
Shaun Harvey has revealed plans to step down from his position as CEO of the EFL (English Football League) at the end of the season.
Harvey, who has worked in professional football for the past 25 years, became CEO in October 2013.
During his tenure, Harvey oversaw some significant changes – including the rebranding of the English Football League to EFL in 2016, a controversial attempt to modernise the brand and make it "more attractive" to the international market.
However, that search for added value was somewhat undermined by Harvey's decision to rubber stamp a five-year, £595m broadcasting deal with Sky TV, which was seen by some clubs as "undervaluing the EFL brand".
“I'm proud of what we have achieved, in what haven't always been easy circumstances," Harvey said.
“Consistently during my time, I have always looked to push boundaries to make the maximum positive impact for clubs, whether this be from a financial perspective or by generating value in another way.
"I have always held the view that the strength of the EFL, is its clubs and no club, or indeed individual, is bigger or more important than the collective or the EFL itself.
“After discussions with the Board, we decided that the time is right for the EFL to now move in a different direction having concluded a number of commercial contracts that leave the League in a stable position."
Harvey's departure means that all three major bodies of English football are now searching for new CEOs.
Martin Glenn, CEO of the Football Association is set to leave his post in May and the English Premier League is still searching for a replacement for Richard Scudamore, who stood down in December.
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