Johnson on England challenge
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:54
Confident man: Martin Johnson
Martin Johnson struck a confident note on his official unveiling as new England team manager on Friday, insisting that under his command England would be gunning to topple the world's superpowers.
The 2003 World Cup-winning captain was appointed to take over from ousted Brian Ashton on Wednesday, and while admitting he felt sorry for his predecessor Johnson was clearly relishing this fresh opportunity to serve his country.
"There is every possibility we can be beating most teams around the world and I am delighted to be in the job and I thoroughly understand the responsibilities," he told a press conference at Twickenham.
Reflecting on the way the Rugby Football Union (RFU) had handled his appointment Johnson, 38, said: "It has been very difficult and I have not felt comfortable with it at times.
"I am sure it has been a lot worse for Brian and I have sympathy for him. I intend to speak to him."
He said it was a "tremendously exciting" time for English rugby.
"I come into this with my eyes open. I am fully aware of perceptions of me as a player and, since I retired, people have been asking when am I going to come back.
"It's been good to have a couple of years out to refresh the enthusiasm and now it is a hugely exciting time to be involved.
"It is a fact I have no coaching experience but I have got a lot of experience in rugby union in the last 16 years.
"This game is always about players - it is not about the ego of coaches, that sometimes gets overplayed.
"It is about creating the environment where these guys can thrive and play. It is about team culture and I think I can be part of that."
Rob Andrew, the RFU's director of elite rugby, admitted Johnson's role was initially conceived as a secondary position to that of head coach but grew into a much wider brief.
He said: "It came about from the World Cup review. We said we would look at the role of team manager.
"Brian had a clear view of what the role should be, effectively a number two reporting to the coach.
"Over the last two or three months, we have spoken to six people about the role of team manager and then spoke to Martin after the Six Nations.
"Once we started discussing the role of team manager for Martin, it became clear what the role should be. It became clear it was a number one role and we wanted Martin in that role."
The RFU came under attack for its handling of the appointment from former British Lion, Fran Cotton, who suggested in a newspaper article that Johnson was appointed against the wishes of Andrew and that Ashton had been treated "appallingly".
He told The Sun: "I don't think Rob Andrew wanted this.
"He backed Brian Ashton twice after lengthy post-tournament reviews. But I believe the management board rejected the most recent submission from Andrew and ordered him to go away and get Johnson.
"For some of those board members, having Johnson as manager is a PR coup.
"I don't doubt he will be strong, influential and has the respect of everyone in the game.
"However, Ashton has been treated appallingly."
Despite getting the chop Ashton's future still lies with England as he was confirmed Friday in a role with the National Academy.
