The EFL's chief executive Shaun Harvey is to leave his position at the end of the season.

The League board, which includes Carlisle co-owner John Nixon, have agreed with Harvey that a "change of direction" is needed at the top.

It will end Harvey's near six-year stint at the head of the EFL.

In a statement, Harvey said: “After discussions with the board, we decided that the time is right for the EFL to now move in a different direction having concluded a number of commercial contracts that leave the League in a stable position.

“I am happy to remain as CEO until after the play-offs, in order to conclude a number of outstanding matters that we are currently dealing with, after which I will move on to pastures new and hopefully make a positive difference elsewhere.”

The EFL said Harvey had presided over "any number of significant changes and initiatives that will provide a fitting legacy to his contribution to the evolution of the EFL".

The former Leeds United chief executive added that he was "proud of what we have achieved since then, in what have not always been easy circumstances".

He also said he had tried to "push boundaries" on behalf of clubs either on a financial basis or "by generating value in another way".

"I have always held the view that the strength of the EFL is its clubs and no club, or indeed individual, is bigger or more important than the collective or the EFL itself," he added.

Harvey's reign, though, has also brought plenty of controversy with the 48-year-old having faced heavy criticism from supporters over the Checkatrade Trophy.

It was on Harvey's watch that Premier League and Championship under-21 teams joined the competition which had previously been the preserve of lower-league clubs.

That has seen some fans boycott matches in protest at the introduction of so-called "B Teams".

The competition has seen some of Carlisle's lowest-ever crowds, with six of Brunton Park's all-time smallest attendances coming in trophy games since 2016.

Despite the supporter objections, the trophy - which is seeking a new sponsor - is expected to continue in the same controversial format for another three seasons.

Harvey was also ridiculed over aspects of last season's Carabao Cup, which saw draws held in China and Thailand.

The first-round draw descended into farce when one club, Charlton, were drawn twice.

Errors with on-screen graphics then caused confusion to some clubs in the second round draw, while "technical problems" were blamed for a delay to the fifth round draw.

Harvey's EFL's leadership has also faced criticism from supporter groups over the organisation's approach to ownership crises at clubs such as Blackpool.

The League have also been at the centre of high-level disagreements with Championship clubs over the recent TV deal.

Debbie Jevans, interim chair of the EFL said: “The EFL would like to thank Shaun for all he has delivered since joining as CEO in 2013.

"The EFL is in a strong position with a growing fan base throughout the world and Shaun deserves a lot of credit for this.

"Shaun and the board have agreed that the time is now right for a change of leadership and a new direction.

"We are pleased that Shaun has agreed to stay on until the end of the season.”

United's "director of external affairs" Nixon represents League Two clubs on the EFL board.