Former Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow is reportedly on a three-person shortlist to chair the newly formed Independent Football Regulator.

Purslow, who played a pivotal role at Villa between 2018 and 2023, is being considered alongside Sanjay Bhandari, chair of anti-racism charity Kick It Out. The new role, based in Manchester, will offer a £130,000 annual salary.

Purslow’s Influence in Football Governance

During his time at Villa, Purslow was vocal about football finance, particularly the Profit and Sustainability (P&S) rules. Speaking to talkSPORT last year, he highlighted the financial disparity between clubs and the challenges of competing with the “Big Six” while adhering to regulations.

“As night follows day, if you have rules requiring you to make a profit while competing with the elite, you must spend heavily on wages just to stay competitive,” he said. He also criticized UEFA’s proposed financial rules, arguing they would make it even harder for smaller clubs to challenge the established elite.

Purslow’s Tenure at Villa

Appointed by owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens following their 2018 takeover, Purslow oversaw a transformative period for Villa. He played a key role in hiring Dean Smith, who guided the club back to the Premier League in his first season.

However, managerial changes under Purslow’s leadership had mixed results. After sacking Smith in 2021, he led the search that resulted in Steven Gerrard’s appointment—a decision that ultimately backfired, leading to Gerrard’s dismissal in late 2022.

Purslow himself departed Villa in spring 2023, and since then, he has been away from football. If appointed as chair of the Independent Football Regulator, he would return to the sport in a significant governance role.