The world football governing body is set to appoint a new leader Friday, but the Swiss administrator indicated that he will retain a presence at the organization.
Sepp Blatter insisted he will "always be a president" as the suspended FIFA boss prepares to officially vacate his position at world football's governing body.
FIFA will usher in a new era at the presidential election in Zurich on Friday, with Gianni Infantino, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and Jerome Champagne vying for the presidency.
All this comes as Blatter serves out a reduced six-year ban for a "disloyal payment" of 2 million Swiss francs ($2M) made to UEFA boss Michel Platini in 2011.