The Atlanta Falcons have turned to one of the most accomplished figures in franchise history to lead their football operations into the future.

Owner and chairman Arthur Blank has named former NFL MVP and long-time Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan as the team’s new president of football, overseeing all aspects of football operations and reporting directly to Blank. Ryan, who will assume the role immediately, will work in partnership with Falcons president and CEO Greg Beadles to ensure alignment between the football and business sides of the organisation.

The move comes as Atlanta continues its search for a new head coach and general manager. Both positions will report directly to Ryan, and interviewing has already begun, with many of the usual suspects having either attended in-person or virtual interviews around the time of Ryan’s appointmend

“Throughout his remarkable 14-year career in Atlanta, Matt’s leadership, attention to detail, knowledge of the game and unrelenting drive to win made him the most successful player in our franchise’s history,” Blank said in an official statement. “I am confident those same qualities will benefit our organisation as he steps into this new role.”

Ryan, who accepted the position early Saturday morning, will be fully involved in the ongoing leadership searches. After a 15-year NFL playing career, he spent the past three seasons as a CBS Sports analyst, providing both game and studio commentary. That experience, Blank noted, gave Ryan a broader understanding of how successful NFL organisations are built and sustained.

“Arthur gave me the chance of a lifetime almost 20 years ago, and he’s done it again today,” Ryan said. “I’ve always been a Falcon, and I understand the weight of a role like this. It feels great to be home — this is not a new table, it’s just a new seat.”

Ryan played 14 seasons in Atlanta, leading the Falcons to five playoff appearances, two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl berth. He remains the franchise’s all-time leader in nearly every major passing category, including yards, touchdowns, completions and passer rating. His 2016 season stands as the pinnacle, when he earned first-team All-Pro honours and became the first NFL MVP in Falcons history.