Premier League chair Gary Hoffman has announced he will step down from the role at the end of January.

The move comes after Hoffman faced controversy following the Newcastle United takeover.

Clubs were reportedly unhappy at the lack of consultation over the Newcastle takeover.

Hoffman was appointed in April 2020 and started work in June of that year, at a time when Premier League football – and indeed all sport in the UK – was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The league thanked Hoffman for his “committed service”  over the past 18 months in when announcing the news.

Gary Hoffman issues statement after Premier League resignation

Hoffman said: “It has been a privilege to lead the Premier League through the last two seasons – when the spirit of English football has been more important than ever.

“Now, I have decided the time is right for me to stand aside to allow new leadership to steer the league through its next exciting phase.”

Premier League issue statement

A league statement added: “The Premier League is grateful to Gary for his committed service. He has led the league during the most challenging period in its history and leaves it in a stronger position than ever.

“The process of appointing a new chair will begin immediately.”

Concerns about the league’s decision to allow the takeover of Newcastle by a Saudi-led consortium were reportedly raised at a clubs meeting in October.

The league said it was satisfied it had legally-binding assurances from the Saudi Public Investment Fund that the Saudi state would not have control over the club, despite the fund being chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.