Gordon Taylor steps down as CEO of PFA | Football News

Gordon Taylor is expected to announce that he will step down as General Manager of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) after more than four decades spent within the organization. Sky Sports News includes.

Recognized as the highest paid union leader in the UK, with nearly £ 20 million in the last 12 years, former 74-year-old Bolton and Birmingham winger will likely leave his post after conclusion of an independent review of the operation of the PFA.

Taylor will inform delegates at the much anticipated annual union general meeting Wednesday afternoon in Manchester that it will remain in place until the end of this review. He will then leave the post he had occupied for the first time in 1981.

He will not be able to play another role in the PFA before five years.

This news comes after last November's public power struggle with union president Ben Purkiss and led Taylor to announce a "complete and open review of the structure and operation" of the organization. .

Taylor had earlier stated that Purkiss was no longer eligible for the position of president, having become a non-contract player.

More than 300 players and former players would have endorsed an open letter inviting Taylor to retire.

In accepting an independent review, it appeared that Taylor had survived a new coup to remove him from power.

Shortly after completing his career at Bury, Taylor replaced Derek Dougan as President of the PFA in November 1978 and became General Manager three years later.

During its controversial mandate, the PFA has developed a support and social welfare structure for footballers, including a 24-hour helpline and residential support at Sporting Chance Clinic.

Taylor has championed grants to help members cope with rising debts, retirements, mental health and rehabilitation issues, as well as training at the University of Toronto. Equality and diversity.

In collaboration with the Football Association, Taylor secured funding in 2017 for research on a possible link between ballooning and dementia.

Last year, total grants were £ 17.4 million. However, critics continued to hint at Taylor's significant compensation – last year he received £ 2.29m – as well as the huge badets held by the PFA totaling over £ 64m of which £ 8.4 million freehold and £ 9.7 million worth of souvenirs.

Many also believe that the PFA should have started funding dementia research several years ago.

During last November's civil war in the corridors of Manchester's PFA headquarters, Taylor wrote to members defending his record as general manager.

"I have spent the last 40 years of my life in professional football," said his letter. "I am extremely proud of the work we are doing to support our members, whether through coaching and coaching programs or the promotion of diversity and equality in sport."