The Scottish FA announced on Thursday that its chief executive Stewart Regan “has taken the decision to step down from his position at the association.”

Regan has recently been under pressure as he led a Scottish FA sub-committee charged with recruiting a successor to Gordon Strachan as Scotland’s national team manager.

An approach to Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill was unsuccessful — leaving Scotland with no manager in charge since November of last year.

The resignation comes almost eight years after Regan took up the position.

The Scottish FA said that Regan made a range of changes during his tenure “including streamlining the Scottish FA committee system, introducing a more transparent and independent disciplinary process, creating a pyramid system, and delivering a new performance strategy.”

“He also leaves the Association in good financial health, having recorded its highest ever profit in 2017,” said the Scottish FA.

Regan said: “I have devoted my time in Scotland to modernising, protecting, developing and promoting the game, whilst facing into some extremely challenging head winds during my time in the job.

“While it has been tough, I am proud to leave having overseen a period of significant change and substantial growth following the McLeish Report in 2010.

“We are now at another staging point and I recognise that it is now time for further change. I have decided to step aside to allow new leadership to take the organisation forward.

“I would like to thank the staff for their energy, hard work and support during my tenure. Their love of the game mirrors Scotland’s passion for football and I am proud to have served the Association.”

Scottish FA chief operating officer Andrew McKinlay will manage the day to day business during the interim period.

Alan McRae, Scottish FA President, said: “I would like to place on record my thanks and appreciation to Stewart for his commitment to Scottish football.

“He has worked tirelessly and has helped drive through a number of improvements to the governance of the game in the country.

“The search for a new chief executive will begin immediately as we will continue to drive Scottish football forward on and off the pitch.”