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Rugby Football Union lets Martin Johnson decide his own future

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Rugby Football Union lets Martin Johnson decide his own future Martyn Thomas, acting Rugby Football Union (RFU) chief executive, has confirmed that England’s team manager, Martin Johnson, may decide his future with RFU after the fast approaching Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC). Being acknowledged as a very “self-critical” person by the Acting Chief Executive and the remaining RFU board, it was unanimously decided that leaving the decision entirely on Johnson’s shoulders would bear the best results. Although Johnson’s tenure as the manager of the team finishes by the end of December, 2011, his commendable performance during his term has satisfied many members of the board. Under his flagship, England managed to win the Six Nations title after eight years. According to Johnson, it has been an “addictive” experience with the England squad and he has hinted that he might prolong his stay with England in the same capacity. After the World Cup in September this year, Thomas will discuss his final take on this matter with the manager if he wishes to stay on. This however does not put a question mark on England’s performance during World Cup where their first rivals will be Argentina.     While reflecting on the current scenario prevailing within RFU, Thomas said, "There is unlikely to be a CEO before January. I will have no problem in sitting down with Martin after the World Cup and resolving his position in the interests of England and the coaching team." When Thomas stepped down from RFU’s Chairmanship, he shared his views about Johnson saying, "Martin is such an honest assessor of his own performance that he will judge himself after the World Cup."     In the absence of a permanent chairman, chief executive and a question mark on the existence of a Performance Director, the England squad should still be playing strong in the World Cup. This has been confirmed by Thomas that team players, who are presently on a break for a week, are not focusing on the latest happenings within the RFU but are concentrating on their big game in September. However, to fill up the now-vacant RFU Chairman Office, Paul Murphy, the RFU vice-president, will resume the chair until the next permanent appointment. The process for the selection of the next Chief Executive is on its way with Ian Metcalfe, the Professional Game Board Chairman leading the interview procedure. Thomas will not sit on the 5-person interview board, in an attempt to rule out all possibilities of complicating the selection process. On the other hand, RFU Performance Director is still getting sorted out, even though no one fits the job description better than Sir Clive Woodward. Just ahead of RWC 2011, a lot is going on within the RFU board which could be disturbing for the future of England rugby.

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