Johnno for England

Johnno: England's top bod

Legendary former England captain and World Cup winner Martin Johnson is set to manage England’s Rugby Union team.

The Times and the BBC report that an announcement is imminent, Johnson could be confirmed as manager as early as Tuesday.

It’s believed Johnno wants total control of team affairs all the way through to the World Cup in 2011.

Respected Beeb rugger journo Ian Robertson had the skinny on the man mountain’s forthcoming appointment.

'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,' said Robertson.

'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.'

It’s unclear as to the future of current England coach Brian Ashton; he is likely to stay in charge as England tour to New Zealand in June. It’s believed Johnson will step in after the tour and Ashton could be given the heave-ho in the management shake-up.

There has been short shrift for Ashton since England’s poor show in the Six Nations. Despite inheriting an ailing side and leading England to the World Cup Final in 2007, Ashton’s future is looking very bleak.

He would have to relinquish all power to Johnson if the two were to work together, it would be a bitter pill to swallow, it is believed that Ashton feels humiliated at being sidelined as Rob Andrew & co courted Johnson in what has been rugby’s worst kept secret.

share this story: