Sport - Johnson set to agree England role
Written: 4th April, 2008
World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson has agreed in principle to become England's new team manager.
BBC Radio 5 Live's rugby correspondent Ian Robertson said RFU elite director Rob Andrew held further productive talks with Johnson on Thursday.
He said that the England great has demanded total control of team affairs through to the next World Cup in 2011.
His appointment could be ratified by the RFU board by next Tuesday.
"Initially he was worried it was just going to be a figurehead position and fairly meaningless, but he has insisted he will have to have all the power to run the whole of the England team," Robertson explained.
"All the financial negotiations are still to do but it is very likely that by Tuesday's meeting they'll have worked out the full contract."
Robertson added that it would "not necessarily" spell the end of Brian Ashton's involvement with the England team.
One possible delay to Johnson's arrival involves RFU board member John Spencer, who is currently in hospital.
But it is not expected to be a major stumbling block and contract details are being discussed.
Senior RFU officials are eager for the make-up of England's coaching team to be finalised ahead of the summer tour to New Zealand.
Andrew had proposed the appointment of a team manager and backs coach when he presented his World Cup review to the management board at the end of last year.
He said he would appoint a team manager in conjunction with current coach Ashton.
There is acknowledgement within the RFU that Andrew was invaluable in brokering an agreement with the clubs over the management of England's elite players.
Yet there is increasing disquiet about his failure to reinforce England's coaching structure.
However, speculation that the former Newcastle director of rugby will lose his job if he fails to land Johnson is wide of the mark.
Source BBC news