Mr Michael Eisner plans to step down as Walt Disney 's chief executive when his contract expires in September 2006, the Wall Street Journalsaid today.
The decision signals the end of Mr Eisner's two-decade reign at the helm of one of the world's best known brands.
It comes six months after Mr Eisner (62) was stripped of his role as Disney's chairman, amid an acrimonious battle led by dissident shareholders Mr Roy Disney and Mr Stanley Gold to oust him from Disney's leadership.
In an interview with the newspaper, Mr Eisner said Disney's recent crises played no role in his decision to step down.
Disney did not immediately return calls in the United States and Europe for comment.
The timing of Mr Eisner's exit is expected to be officially announced later today, giving Disney's board time to set in place an orderly succession plan, the newspaper said.
The move may make it more difficult for Mr Eisner's opponents to oust him. It is uncertain whether Disney's board would have offered Mr Eisner a new contract if he wanted one, the newspaper said, citing unnamed people close to the situation.
Mr Eisner said in an interview published in the Los Angeles Timeson Sunday that company president, Mr Robert Iger, was his "preferred choice" to succeed him.
Mr Iger, a veteran broadcasting executive, said in an interview with the same newspaper that he was interested in the job.