LONDON (Reuters) - Former captain Martin Johnson is to become England team manager and Brian Ashton will step down as head coach, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said on Wednesday.

Johnson, 38, who skippered the side to their 2003 World Cup triumph, will take up the post on July 1 with his contract lasting until December 31, 2011 after the next World Cup in New Zealand.

Ashton, who steered England to the 2007 World Cup final in France, has been offered the job of head coach of the national academy. The 61-year-old also led the team to second place in the 2008 Six Nations.

"It is a great honour for me to be offered this position," said Johnson, who has no previous coaching experience.

"I am passionate about the England team and delivering success for it," he added in a statement.

While Johnson's appointment was widely expected, Wednesday's announcement marked a turnaround by the RFU who gave Ashton an "indefinite" contract in December to continue as head coach despite criticism of his methods by senior players.

The RFU said it had unanimously approved a report and recommendations from director of elite rugby Rob Andrew.

"Reporting to Rob Andrew, Martin will have full managerial control of the England team including the appointment of the coaching and management team as well as the player selection process," the RFU said.

Forwards coach John Wells and defence coach Mike Ford will retain their roles in the new set-up, with Johnson to name an additional coach in due course.

NZ TESTS

Until Johnson begins his new job, Andrew will fulfil the role of team manager for the two tests in New Zealand in June.

"Whilst I cannot take up my position until July 1 for personal reasons (his wife is expecting their second child) I will be working closely with Rob and the coaching team on selection for the Barbarians match and the New Zealand tour, as well as selecting the first senior elite player squad of 32 under the new agreement between the RFU and Premier Rugby," Johnson said.

Andrew said Johnson, who retired from internationals in 2004 after gaining 84 caps and ended his 16-year Leicester career in 2005, would bring "a new and fresh approach" to the set-up.

Ashton took over from Andy Robinson in December 2006 with England at a low ebb. He failed to produce consistent levels of performance, with the team swinging erratically between good results and humiliating defeats.

He beat the odds to take England to last year's World Cup final but the team were also crushed 36-0 by eventual champions South Africa in the pool stage.

Similarly, in this year's Six Nations, he led the team to second place but it could have been a different story if they had not thrown away a convincing lead against grand slam winners Wales to end up losing 26-19 at home.

"I would like to thank Brian for the job he has done in difficult circumstances," Andrew said. "He is an outstanding coach and deserves enormous credit.

"Whilst Brian is naturally disappointed he will not have a role in the new senior structure I believe the post we have offered him is ideally suited to his special talents and expertise."

Johnson will attend a news conference at Twickenham on Friday.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)