The Football Association have appointed Alex Horne, previously the organisation's chief operating officer, as their interim chief executive.

He replaces Ian Watmore, who quit on Monday after little more than 12 months in the job.

Horne will remain in charge of the organisation until December, with the FA feeling that the search for an appointment would distract from the bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals. Fifa will vote on hosting rights for 2018 and 2022 at the end of this year.

"There's no desire to spend a huge amount of time but we will want to replace the chief executive," said Lord Triesman, the FA chairman, speaking to Sky Sports News.

"If we appointed a new chief executive before the World Cup we'd only do it by failing to advertise and failing to find the right candidates.

"Time is very short and there is a real preoccupation on our part with winning the World Cup."

 Horne also acted as interim chief executive prior to Watmore's appointment.