Whoever takes his place has to face the flack of the ITV Digital mess, as well as criticism over the deal with SKY TV and the proposed move of Wimbledon to Milton Keynes against all precedent.
As is now widely known the FL had no case whatsoever against Granada and Carlton, and taking the two media giants to court has to rank up there as one of the worst cock-ups in the history of the sport.
A number of first divison chairmen, generally noted for their selfish interests, have lead the criticism of the FL and in particular Burns and the chairman Keith Harris.
The FL's case that the two parent companies of ITV Digital were liable to meet the terms of the contract signed in June 2000 was based on a parental company guarentee which appearned in the bid document.
The guarentee however was not in the final document signed by both parties, when ITV Digtal went tits up there was nothing in the contract saying that Carlton and Granda had to meet the contract - they didn't.
Although Burns and Harris were not in charge when the contract was signed the pair have come in for enormous criticism from the chairman of several first division club's who blame the pair for their financial woes - until recently it was the fault of Carlton and Granada.
The FL intend to sue the law firm who advised them to sue, resulting in them gaining nothing from the companies as well as having to meet the £2million legal costs of the other party.
