Gordon Taylor has announced he will step down as chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) after 38 years in the role.
Renowned as Britain's highest-paid union boss, earning almost £20m over the past 12 years, the 74-year-old former Bolton and Birmingham winger will leave his post when an independent review into the workings of the PFA is concluded.
Taylor told delegates at the union's long-awaited Annual General Meeting on Wednesday afternoon in Manchester that he will stay in place until that review is over - and will then finally leave the post he first took up in 1981.
He will not be able to take another role in the PFA for five years.
Chairman Ben Purkiss and the PFA's whole management committee will also stand down once the review into the workings of the PFA, being carried out by Sport Resolutions, is concluded.
The news comes after last November's very public falling out and subsequent public power struggle between Taylor and Purkiss, leading the former to announce a "full and open review into the structure and operation" of the organisation.
Taylor had previously claimed Purkiss was no longer eligible to be chairman having become a non-contract player.
More than 300 players and former players are said to have endorsed an open letter calling on Taylor to step down.