Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has backed Michel Platini's bid for the FIFA presidency.
Platini, 60, announced on Wednesday that he would be running to become Sepp Blatter's successor as the head of world football's governing body.
The new FIFA president is due to be named on February 26, 2016.
FA chief Dyke, who has long been an outspoken critic of Blatter, believes that Platini could bring about the change that he feels is needed in the game.
"We support Michel Platini's candidacy," he said in a statement. "We have a good relationship with him and hope he can gain the necessary global backing to lead a new FIFA during the most difficult period in its history.
"We understand there will be a number of candidates, which should result in a strong and healthy debate. However, we should not underestimate how challenging it will be for anyone to lead an organisation that has been so tainted. The whole structure of FIFA must be reviewed and fundamentally changed.
"While we have yet to see Mr Platini's manifesto, we believe he will fully support an ongoing reform process. We are pleased Mr Platini has decided to stand as a candidate and we look forward to supporting him."
Former France international midfielder Platini has been UEFA president since 2007.
Jack Prescott
