Sir Clive Woodward today ended speculation about his future by revealing that he is to resign as England's rugby union coach.
Speaking as he arrived at a scheduled meeting at Twickenham with the RFU, Woodward said: "I will be handing in my resignation later today."
Asked if he anyone had tried to change his mind, Woodward shook his head and said, "no one's tried to talk me out if it."
It is not yet clear when his resignation will take effect. However, he is unlikely to be in charge when the Six Nations starts early next year.
Woodward has been strongly linked with a coaching role at the Southampton Football Club because of his friendship with chairman Rupert Lowe.
"Sir Clive expressed an interest in getting into football and has looked at our academy and other aspects of the club," Lowe said. "If we can learn from him about motivation, improving individuals and becoming world-class, then great.
"And if we can help him then we are very happy, too. Relationships sometimes are not planned - they just grow. He's running the England rugby team for the next 12 months, as I am aware, but I will be discussing his involvement at the board meeting on Thursday."
Woodward's contract was due to expire after he had led England's World Cup title defence in France in 2007. He has coached England in 83 Tests - winning 59, drawing two and losing 12.
The RFU had responded to speculation regarding Woodward's future by issuing a brief statement yesterday, quoting him as saying he will honour his existing contract. But that is thought to include provision for a 12-month notice period.
England are scheduled to play eight Tests this season - Canada, South Africa and Australia in November, followed by their 2005 6 Nations Championship campaign.
Woodward, who supports Chelsea, had earlier said in an interview: "My whole background is in football. I love football and I go to as many games as I possibly can. I never had that passion for rugby I have for football. I never got into rugby in the same way."
The 48-year-old was sent to a rugby-playing school by his father and he revealed: "It caused a huge rift in the family that's still there in a way.
"I was forced into playing rugby because that's the only game the school played. And I hated it. I ran away a couple of times because of football. I didn't mind being at boarding school. I just hated not playing football."
England have been in a form tailspin since their 2003 World Cup win. Clive Woodward's men have lost five of their past six games, including a winless three-Test tour of the antipodes during June this year, as they've struggled to adapt to several retirements - Martin Johnson, Jason Leonard and Neil Back chief among them - as well as a neck injury to Jonny Wilkinson.
Woodward is set to coach the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005, and it is unclear how his resignation will affect this commitment.
If Woodward does depart from Twickenham, there is no clear favourite to replace him.
But his current No2, former Bath head coach Andy Robinson, Gloucester rugby director Nigel Melville and Newcastle boss, ex-England fly-half Rob Andrew, would all feature as contenders.
