David Pemsel has resigned from his role as Premier League chief executive - before starting in the job.
Pemsel was due to start in the role in February, succeeding long-term boss Richard Scudamore after his departure.
He was the third person to be offered the job and the Premier League now faces a fresh search, 540 days after Scudamore first announced he was quitting.
His resignation comes after allegations about his private life published in the press this week.
A statement released by the Premier League read: "Following media disclosures earlier this week and discussions with David Pemsel, the Premier League has today accepted David’s resignation and he will no longer be joining as Chief Executive.
"Richard Masters will continue as Interim Chief Executive.
"No further comment will be made at this stage."
Pensel had been serving his notice as chief executive of the Guardian Media Group.
He has been credited with overseeing the media company turning a profit for the first time in 20 years, prompting him to land the Premier League job.
Susanna Dinnage, president of Discovery's group Animal Planet, was first appointed CEO to succeed Scudamore but withdraw her acceptance of the role in December last year.
The Premier League then approached BBC Studies' commercial division chief executive Tim Davie in January, but he rejected the job.
Pensel's resignation means the league - the most lucrative sports competition in the world with a broadcast rights deal with £9.2billion for a three-year cycle - must now go back on the job hunt.
