England’s head coach Martin Johnson resigns from his current role – Rugby News
The head coach of the England national Rugby Union team, Martin Johnson, has tendered his resignation from his role as the head coach of the English side. Reports regarding Johnson’s resignation
surfaced on Wednesday, November 16.
England’s poor performance in the recently concluded 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) tournament has been cited as the main reason which forced Johnson to take this decision. The governing body of
Rugby Union in the World, International Rugby Board held Rugby Union’s premier world Tournament, Rugby World Cup, which was played during September and October months of the year 2011 in New Zealand.
England made their exit from the RWC tournament following their quarterfinal defeat by the hands of the France. France defeated their European rivals with final scorecard reading 19 – 12 at
Eden Park, Auckland on October 8, 2011.
Besides his side’s poor on-field performance in the global tournament, English team has been involved in different disciplinary issues both on and off field. The governing body of the Rugby
Union in England, The Rugby Football Union (RFU), held a review of England’s Elite Player squad in the 2011 RWC tournament.
Few days ago, RFU disciplinary panel has announced the findings. As a result, they have handed over contract termination to Mike Tindall’s England’s Elite Player squad contract and imposed
heavy fine for his actions. Besides Tindall, the disciplinary committee also delivered fine sanctions to Chris Ashton and James Haskell for the Dunedin incident.
Earlier, Johnson, who led England to the 2003 Rugby World Cup title, spoke in defence of the Tindall’s actions. Once the finding of the reviewing committee was announced, Johnson move to tender
his resignation was expected.
Johnson’s current contract was due until the end of the year. Prior to England’s departure for New Zealand to participate in the 2011 RWC tournament, Johnson’s extension in contract was on
card.
The 41-year-old Johnson assumed charge of England’s head coach role in April 2008 after he replaced Brian Ashton. Under him, England has played 38 international games out of which they finished
as the winners in the 21 outings. He was a great ambassador of giving young players a chance and used it effectively to generate results.
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