Football Association (FA) vice-chairman David Gill has ruled himself out of standing for the British Fifa vice-presidency following Michel Platini’s decision not to run against president Sepp Blatter.

Gill, a former Manchester United chief executive who is now a Uefa executive committee member, was the leading candidate for the post but it is understood he has told senior figures at the FA that it is “very unlikely” that he will allow his name to be put forward.

Gill’s move comes after Uefa president Platini’s decision last week not to challenge Blatter.

It is understood that Gill has also told Platini of his intentions to remain at Uefa but not stand for Fifa as he does not want to work under Blatter. 

The incumbent president appears virtually assured of winning a fifth term in office with splits among Uefa countries meaning there is no likelihood of a credible challenger being put forward from the European confederation.

Gill’s decision is a big blow to the FA as he was the outstanding English candidate for the position, which is to be voted on by Uefa associations in March and is expected to be contested by Scottish FA president Campbell Ogilvie and Welsh FA president Trefor Lloyd Hughes.

Gill would have been tempted if Platini was in office but is believed to feel that Fifa executive committee members wield too little decision-making power and often merely rubber-stamp Blatter’s wishes.

The FA will now be under pressure to come up with another candidate, but it would need to be someone with a significant presence.

One possibility would be Sir Trevor Brooking, who has retired from his job as FA director of football development. Brooking is a former England player and has experience of administration from his FA role and as a past chairman of Sport England.

Former Arsenal and FA vice-chairman David Dein is an obvious choice but the fact he does not have an official FA role currently prevents him from standing.