Phillips Idowu is convinced a change of coach will help steer him towards the Olympic Games triple jump gold medal in August.

Shortly after winning the world indoor title in March, Idowu revealed he had switched from long-term advisor John Herbert to Aston Moore, who is employed by UK Athletics.

Eyebrows were raised that the pair had separated after Herbert had developed his fellow Londoner into a world-class performer, first highlighted when finishing sixth as a 21-year-old at the 2000 Olympics.

But Idowu's form since Sydney has been inconsistent, the biggest disappointment coming at the Athens Games four years later where he failed to make a valid clearance in the final.

He was also branded a failure last year when he was sixth at the World Championships in Osaka after being tipped to claim a medal.

Idowu has, however, always bounced back, the most determined performance coming in Valencia when he smashed Jonathan Edwards' UK indoor record with a huge leap of 17.75 metres en route to his first global title.

Even Edwards, who in the past has been critical of Idowu's failure to realise his true ability, believes the Commonwealth champion is the country's best bet for an individual title in Beijing.

"Phillips has unbelievable potential and I just hope he can leap over 18 metres and claim an Olympic gold medal," said the 2000 Olympic champion.

Despite numerous setbacks in his career, Idowu feels his career has turned the corner in his favour and is convinced he can finally realise a lifetime ambition.

"My main aim this year is to stay injury free and keep my competitions to a minimum and be in top shape for Beijing," said Idowu who tops this summer's world rankings with a leap of 17.55m.

"Before I went to Crete,

I said I wanted to start my season with a win and go number one in the world and I've done that."

That victory makes him feel the split from Herbert was worthwhile although it involves travelling a couple of days a week to see Moore in Birmingham with the coach reciprocating by coming to London for the same number.

The athlete added: "In the past things haven't quite gone the way I wanted and I've had all sorts of hassle about my performances, so I just wanted to take on more responsibility.

"I've had a few changes over my personal health and the kind of work I want to do to get into the right kind of shape at the right time."

Idowu insisted: "If it doesn't work - it doesn't work and you can write what you want about me.

"If it does at least I've had a hand in working to being an Olympic or world champion."

Sporting Life / Eurosport