England elite rugby director Rob Andrew has responded to doubts over his commitment towards Brian Ashton by backing him to be head coach at the 2011 World Cup.

Ashton was reappointed on Wednesday following a two-month review and it is understood he was awarded the standard Rugby Football Union rolling contract.

Andrew described it as "indefinite" but as a statement of intent it paled against the four-year contracts awarded to the new coaches of Wales and Australia.

Both those countries will find themselves stuck in an expensive cul-de-sac if either Warren Gatland or Robbie Deans fail to deliver on their promised.

And Andrew insisted Ashton has his unequivocal support and revealed they had already begun the long-term planning process.

"We have a busy year in 2008 but we have talked a lot in the last two months about where we want to go in the next six months, 18 months and four years. It is very much a long-term project."

Andrew confirmed Ashton will appoint a team manager, ideally before the end of the Six Nations, who can share the burden and allow him to focus on coaching a young team brimming with potential.

England have not had a high-profile manager in place since Roger Uttley worked alongside Clive Woodward but it is something both Ashton and his predecessor Andy Robinson have both long called for.

Ashton struggled to cope with all the off-field demands during the World Cup and the RFU have agreed to appoint a right-hand man.

Vivienne Brown, England's team manager in recent years, has left the RFU and the role will change from an administrative position to effectively being the public face of the squad.

Ashton has already identified a number of potential candidates and would like to have him in place as soon as possible as he plots a brave new world for English rugby.

Ashton said: "I want someone who takes the responsibility off the field during Test match weeks and does the things I don't want to do.

"The administration can be done in the office. This would be a similar role to the Lions manager.

"I know that is a special case but I did 28 press conferences and 140 live broadcasts during the World Cup.

"I want a management team that I feel can take England forward. The game has got to move on and we have got to move on ahead of it. The playing squad and the management team have all got to buy into it.

"People need to be prepared to buy into the vision and ambition that can take England forward without forgetting about the traditional virtues that are important in international rugby."

When Andrew reappointed Ashton, he also retained assistant coaches Mike Ford and John Wells despite suggestions their relationship during the World Cup was not always constructive.

Ashton dismissed those suggestions and said: "I don't want to be surrounded by yes men.

"I think it would be foolish not to continue and let not only the team develop but the coaching team develop as well."

Ford added: "I am pleased that we can build on what was achieved in France and I am looking forward to getting back together for the Six Nations.

"We have come a long way since the start of the year and now we have a chance to move England on to another level."

Ashton and Andrew are working on plans to add to the current coaching set-up, following the departures of backroom staff like video analyst Tony Biscombe, physiotherapist Phil Pask and masseur Richard Wegrzyk.

"We will support Brian and we will appoint the right person to be Brian's team manager. We're continuing to look at the senior coaching set-up and to see if Brian wants to make additions to it," said Andrew.

"This is not the end of the decision making process it's actually just the start of one and the team manager role is part of that."

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