LONDON (AP) - Manchester United chief executive David Gill said Wednesday he is to step down in June after a decade at the helm of one of the world's most valuable sporting clubs.

His move will deprive long-time manager Alex Ferguson of one of his closest confidants at the soccer club that was taken over in 2005 by the Glazer family, who also own the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Gill's responsibilities from July 1 at New York-listed Manchester United will be assumed by executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, although he will remain on the board that will eventually choose Ferguson's successor as manager.

Ferguson has been manager since 1986 and his tenure has delivered unprecedented success for the club, which currently leads the English Premier League by 12 points. He has yet to say when he plans to retire.

Following six years as finance director, Gill became chief executive in 2003.

Forbes last month said United's enterprise value, which subtracts debt from equity value, has risen to $3.3 billion, the highest for any sports team in the world.

Last week, United forecast revenue of between 350-360 million pounds (US$535-550 million) for 2012/13.