Liam Rosenior will join a six-person panel to select the new FA chair to replace the disgraced Greg Clarke.
But chief executive Mark Bullingham warned it would be a “tough ask” to find an ex-player to fill the role – and he insisted the “best candidate” would be appointed despite pressure to appoint a BAME or female applicant.
Clarke was forced to quit earlier this month after using the term “coloured footballers” and other out-dated language speaking to a parliamentary select committee.
The FA have today announced the job will be advertised next month, with the aim of making the appointment in the spring.
The selection panel will include three independent members – chair Stacey Cartwright, Kate Tinsley and Rosenior.
The former Fulham, Hull City and Brighton defender, 36, is now first-team coach at Derby and joined the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board in May 2020.
"It’s an absolute honour to be asked to be part of the panel to recruit the new Chair of the Football Association,” Rosenior said.
“I am truly humbled and really looking forward to being involved in making an appointment that is so important to our game."
Bullingham said: “We are really delighted Liam has agreed to join us. He has impressed everyone on our Inclusion Advisory Board he sits on.
"It is really important for us to have someone who represents players and coaches.”
Former Chelsea captain Paul Elliott chairs the Inclusion Advisory Board and has been tipped as a contender.
Bullingham declined to talk about individual candidates however, but said: “There are two main areas of the role. One to be an absolutely brilliant ambassador - I think players can absolutely do that.
“I think there is a second requirement to run the board. I think it is hard to see that someone who has never run a board would be able to step in and be able to run a complex stakeholder board of a £450m organisation.
"I’m not ruling anyone out, I’m just telling you what the criteria are for the job. I think possibly it’s a tough ask. I’m not saying no, but I do think it’s difficult.”
There is pressure to appoint a more modern FA chairman after the embarrassing demise of 63-year-old Clarke.
But asked about the expectation of appointing a non- white or female boss, Bullingham said: “I would hope not. I think we have been really clear that we want absolutely to have a diverse shortlist and then choose the best candidate from that.
"And I think anyone from the historically disadvantaged communities would be asking for the same. I think you will see we are looking well beyond the usual suspects.”
The other members of the selection panel – who have been appointed by the FA board - are interim FA chair Peter McCormick, Rupinder Bains and Jack Pearce.
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