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Former England coach Brian Ashton has turned down an offer by the RFU to run their national academy, a British newspaper has reported.

But according to the Guardian, RFU chairman Martyn Thomas believes the governing body can retain Ashton's services in some way after admitting that they were at fault in the way they dealt with his removal.

"I am very confident Brian will be remaining and will have a role within the RFU," Thomas told the Guardian.

Ashton (pictured) was ousted as England head coach in April after the RFU appointed Martin Johnson manager of the national team.

The 61-year-old, who led England to the final of the World Cup last year and second in the 2008 Six Nations, had wanted to appoint his own manager before the RFU moved to bring in Johnson above him.

Ashton was removed despite assurances from the RFU's elite performance director Rob Andrew that his position was safe.

Andrew made the recommendation in his post World Cup review that took four months to compile, but powers at the RFU ignored his proposal and insisted Johnson was brought in to run the England senior set-up.

Ashton has a long-standing reputation as one of the most innovative coaches in England with a special talent for developing young players.

The likeable Lancastrian, who was subjected to post World Cup criticism by then-senior players Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt, has kept his own council since being driven out of the job.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport