The mogul was publisher of the New York Post from 1976 to 1986 as he built up his empire from its Australian newspaper roots.
Now 74, he is taking back the job in which Lachlan has been widely praised for bucking the trend in the newspaper industry and growing the New York Post's circulation.
Father and son are understood to be in conflict, with Lachlan unhappy about his power being undermined and also opposed to his father's moves to dilute his oldest childrens' inheritance by transferring some of the 29.5% voting shares to his two young children from his marriage to Wendi Deng.
The two are officially due to swap the role at the end of August, the date Lachlan set for resigning as News Corporation deputy chief operating officer.
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