31 January 2005  
Watch an interview with Brian on his first day as FA CEO

FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick has revealed his plans for the future in the week that he celebrates a year since his appointment in to the role.

A former controller of ITV Sport, Barwick was confirmed in his current role 12 months ago this week, with one of his tasks to help oversee the completion of Wembley Stadium's redevelopment.

With the multi-million project planned to be ready in time to host the 2006 FA Cup Final, Barwick revealed there were plans to bid to stage the Champions League final at the north-west London venue in three years time having failed to land the prestigious match in 2007.

"I am going to make sure we're given a good chance to host a Champions League final in either 2008 or 2009," said The FA Chief Executive. "It's the kind of event a new Wembley is designed to host.

"It will be a remarkable stadium with 90,000 spectators. It will be spectacular and a fitting backdrop to an event like a Champions League final - and who knows, one including an English club."

Prior to his work at ITV, Barwick was at the BBC for 18 years, where he acquired an excellent understanding of the sports industry, played a major part in shaping their sporting coverage, and held several key roles including editor of Match of the Day.

A passionate football fan, Barwick was Senior Editor of the BBC’s 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cup coverage and Producer of Football Focus between 1982 and 1984.

He left the BBC as Head of Sport in 1995. During his time at ITV he oversaw ITV’s biggest ever audience of 23.8 million viewers for England v Argentina during the 1998 World Cup. He was responsible for televising Manchester United’s dramatic 1999 Champions League Final victory over Bayern Munich.

Barwick also admitted there have been discussions with England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson about his plans for England after the World Cup.

Barwick said: "He is contracted until 2008 and we discuss post-2006 all the time."