Ashton rejects RFU job offer
by Mark May, 24 July 2008
Sacked England coach Brian Ashton has decided to reject an offer from the RFU to become head coach of the National Academy, it was confirmed on Thursday.
He will instead offer his services to English rugby as a freelance consultant.
An RFU statement revealed it would be “entering into a new consultancy agreement with Brian Ashton under which Brian will provide a range of High Level Performance consultancy services to the RFU under a renewable annual contract.”
Ashton was dismissed from his role as England coach following the RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Martin Johnson was handed the task of rebuilding the national side while Ashton was merely offered his old job at the academy to keep him in the fold.
Ashton said: “I have given full and careful consideration over the last two months to my future career plans and I have decided to develop my own company [SCD South West Ltd] delivering High Level Performance processes in all areas of sporting and business life.
“I am most grateful to the RFU for allowing me time and space to consider my future plans. I have decided not to accept the post offered to me by the RFU of Head Coach of the National Academy as this was a full time post which would not have allowed me to develop my own business and pursue other interests.
“I am excited by the new opportunities in front of me and I am looking forward to providing a range of services to the RFU in the areas of elite coaching and coach development.”
RFU chief executive Francis Baron said: “We fully understand and support Brian’s desire to develop his own business interests and are delighted that Brian has agreed to offer his services to us under the new consultancy agreement.
Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the RFU Management Board said: “The RFU Management Board is very pleased that a new agreement has been reached with Brian and that the RFU will benefit from his skills with elite rugby in the RFU in his new consultancy role.”