Clegg, a key figure in inspiring London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and who was also British Chef de Mission at the Salt Lake City 2002 and Beijing 2008 Winter and Summer Games, was appointed to the position in March 2016 but left recently for personal reasons.

"I’m out here [in the United Arab of Emirates] until the end of November and the bottom line is, I’m looking to get back into sport," he told insidethegames.

"There’s a few emerging opportunities but at this stage I really can’t say anything."

The 58-year-old added: "All I can say is I’m speaking to a number of people and have been speaking to a number of people for a couple of weeks."

Clegg was also formerly chief executive of Ipswich Town Football Club and had played a key role in the successful delivery of the 2015 European Games in Baku after joining the Operating Committee in April 2014 as chief operating officer.

"I’ve been around the block a few times and I’m pretty sure that the business skills and the sport experience I’ve got will set me up well to return to the world of sport," he added.

Clegg added: "The personal reasons are a desire to return to the world of sport.

"That’s the motivation.

"It’s not as if it’s been dressed up in terms of problems back home or anything like that.

"I’ve had a really good 18 months here.

"I hope we’ve achieved a lot but it’s obvious to me that my motivation, my heart is in sport and that’s where I would like to spend the remainder of my career."

Dubai was selected to host Expo 2020 in 2013 and is due to stage it between October 2020 and April 2021.

The theme of the Expo will be "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future" and is expected to feature 200 participants, including countries, multilateral organisations, corporates and educational institutions.

Arabian Business reports Tony Aitkenhead, a member of the Expo 2020 real estate team, has stepped up to acting chief operating officer while a permanent replacement for Clegg is sought.