England manager quits after woeful Rugby WCup

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England manager quits after woeful Rugby WCup

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Martin Johnson resigned as England manager in the wake of a shambolic Rugby World Cup campaign.

17 November,2011 04:19 am

Martin Johnson resigned as England manager on Wednesday, unwilling to recommit to the team in the wake of a shambolic Rugby World Cup campaign overshadowed by indiscretions on and off the pitch.I think its in the best interests of myself and the England team that I dont carry on into next year, Johnson said at a news conference at Twickenham. He didnt want to renew his three-and-a-half-year contract which will expire in December.A series of lurid headlines followed England around New Zealand before a limp quarterfinal exit against France in October.Ive tried to take emotion out of a lot of (the decision) and the disappointment, Johnson said. The off-the-field things during the World Cup didnt help. They portray the team in a bad light, and not an accurate light, but you cant get away from that.This is my call, and if I hadnt made it someone might have made it for me.Johnson was referring to two reviews by the Rugby Football Union into the World Cup campaign, which included his debrief last week with his assistants. The first findings are to be revealed on Thursday, and they arent expected to be kind toJohnson. He didnt act decisively on the indiscretions in New Zealand even though he said he would before the tournament.But on Wednesday he said he didnt feel let down by the off-the-field acts of some players in New Zealand because they were a team, there was no tipping point in his decision and, contrary to popular belief, he said he had no interference from the RFU throughout his tenure and at the World Cup and did everything on his terms.He said hed considered his options before the World Cup, so this was not a knee-jerk decision, but a considerate, thoughtful decision.