FA chairman David Bernstein has been unsuccessful in his attempt to stay on beyond his 70th birthday next year.
He had been hoping for the FA Council to change their own ruling to allow him to continue the job beyond next spring when he reaches 70 years of age.
Bernstein took on the role of Football Association chairman from Lord Triesman in December 2010 and has steered the English sports governing body through some good and bad times in the 22-months since.
He dropped John Terry as England captain earlier this year, appointed Roy Hodgson as the new national team manager, while last week launched a new players' code of conduct and has made significant steps in improving relations with FIFA following England's failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
The FA Board were hoping he'd continue the role until the summer of 2014 but they couldn't sway today's vote.
Bernstein will now finish his role in May next year and says: "I respect the decision and I remain committed to fulfilling my responsibilities and to building on what we have achieved over the past two years.
"Next year is a significant one in the FA's history and I look forward to leading the organisation in the months ahead."
