World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson has been appointed England team manager, the RFU has confirmed.

Brian Ashton, who led England to the final of last year's World Cup, stands down as head coach.

He has been offered the role of head coach of the National Academy, a position he has held before.

Johnson will take charge of England on July 1 and his contract runs until after the 2011 World Cup. The 38-year-old will have full control of team selection and the appointment of the coaching team.

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

"While I cannot take up my position until July 1 for personal reasons, I will be working closely with Rob and the England 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."

The announcement was made following a protracted meeting at Twickenham between elite rugby director Rob Andrew and the RFU's management board.

Ashton's forwards coach John Wells and defence coach Mike Ford remain in place.

Johnson (pictured) is unavailable for England's two-Test tour of New Zealand in June as his wife Kay is expecting their second child around that time.

Andrew will take charge for the Tests on June 14 and 21, and also for the game against the Barbarians at Twickenham on May 28.

Although Johnson has no experience as a coach or manager, he was capped 84 times by England and led them to a World Cup title and Six Nations Grand Slam.

Johnson also captained the British and Irish Lions on tours to South Africa and Australia and led Leicester Tigers to a host of domestic and European honours.

"I am delighted Martin is joining the England structure as team manager," Andrew said.

"He will bring a new and fresh approach to team development and preparation in his own inimitable style.

"I would also like to thank Brian for the job he has done in difficult circumstances. He is an outstanding coach and deserves enormous credit for leading England to a second successive Rugby World Cup final last year and securing the runners-up position in this year's RBS 6 Nations.

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

Johnson's appointment ends weeks of speculation, during which the RFU and Andrew have been heavily criticised for their shoddy treatment of Ashton.

Ashton, 61, has maintained a dignified silence throughout and it remains to be seen if he takes any action against the RFU for the manner of his dismissal.

In addition to reaching the World Cup final under Ashton, England finished second in the 2008 Six Nations, their best return for five years. England won 12 of their 22 games while Ashton was in charge.

Ashton's critics have accused his side of lacking consistency and clarity, while his selections during his 17 months in charge were often questionable.

England claimed a number of major scalps under Ashton but a decent performance was too often followed by an under-par effort.

The 36-0 World Cup defeat by South Africa and 15-9 loss to Scotland in the Six Nations represent the lowest ebbs of Ashton's reign.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport