FORMER Chief Executive of the Football Association, Brian Barwick, returned to his home city yesterday to visit his new colleagues at Liverpool University.

Barwick, 54, who now lives in London with his wife, Gerry, and two sons, has been appointed visiting professor at the institution where he himself graduated in 1975.

The Childwall-born Liverpool FC fanatic, who studied economics, left the city aged 21 to pursue a job in journalism.

His impressive career includes 18 years with the BBC, seven years as controller of sports at ITV and four years as chief executive of the Football Association.

After a controversial departure from the FA last summer, he is now joining Liverpool University where he will lead seminars in management and supervise student projects as part of the MBA Football Industries programme.

He will also take on an ambassadorial role, representing Liverpool graduates in the UK and China, where the university has opened an institution.

He told the Daily Post: "I’ll spend 50 days a year here in the first instance. This is the right place for me.

"I grew up in Liverpool and although I left a long time ago, I admire the city, especially the way it’s come back so strongly in recent years."

Prof Barwick, whose eldest son Jack is in his first year at Manchester University and younger son Joe is studying A Levels, said: "I’m very pleased. I’ve always had a desire to get involved in education at some point in my career.

"I’ve been blessed with a remarkable professional life in TV and football. I think when you’ve had that sort of life, it’s your responsibility to pass on your knowledge to those coming through."

In August last year he stepped down from his role as chief executive of the FA – in which he oversaw the opening of the new Wembley Stadium and led on the appointment of Fabio Capello as England coach – after rumoured conflict with Lord David Triesman, the chairman.