The Football Association today appointed civil servant Ian Watmore as their chief executive.

The 50-year-old was offered the chance to succeed Brian Barwick after the final round of interviews yesterday, when other candidates included former Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman.

Barwick left the FA in December but Watmore will not join until June when he leaves his post as permanent secretary for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

He worked with FA chairman Lord Triesman at the DIUS and his extensive background and contacts within the political world is a contrast to Barwick, who came from the media.

"It is a great challenge and one I am really looking forward to," said Arsenal fan Watmore. "With Lord Triesman and the FA board, Fabio Capello and the FA's staff, I want to ensure we are achieving success on and off the pitch across all levels of the game."

Lord Triesman said: "We had a very strong shortlist of candidates but in Ian we have the right person to lead the organisation."

Meanwhile, Lord Coe has joined the FA's team running the bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.

He will combine his role as non-executive director with his position as chairman of the organising committee of the London Olympics.

Coe took the job after being approached by Sir Keith Mills, who worked on the 2012 campaign and is also a member of the 2018 bid company.