Johnson, in his new role as national team manager, will now spearhead a drive for sustained success during the next three and a half years.

England’s 2003 World Cup-winning captain could earn up to £1million in that time, but he insists his decision to take the job has nothing to do with ego or money.

And although he does not officially start work until July 1, Johnson will be heavily involved in selection for the two-Test tour to New Zealand in June.

He is also looking to add a backs specialist to his coaching team, hopefully in time for the tough New Zealand mission.

Since the 38-year-old retired from playing more than three years ago England have struggled to hit the heights on a consistent basis, despite reaching a second successive World Cup final last October.

Johnson said: “We should have the expectation surrounding England.

“When I got into the England team they had got into a World Cup final two years previously (1991).

“The expectation on the England team when I was growing up - there wasn’t an expectation, let’s be frank.

“There should be an expectation of our major sports teams to do well, and that pressure will come with the job.

“If you make decisions with the best intentions, then you can live with yourself. Everyone makes mistakes and gets things wrong.

“We did that in 2003, but came back from that and ultimately were judged a successful team.

“If you believe it when people say you are great, you have to believe them when they say you are not doing very well. Ultimately, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.”

While many England supporters will expect immediate success under Johnson’s supervision, he knows the road to possible World Cup success in 2011 could prove a long and winding one.

Johnson added: “I have got my eyes open to this.

“I am not thinking I am going to turn up and it will work straightaway. It is about creating an environment and getting the right people in around the team.

“In the last year or so, I have been thinking about getting back into the game.

“I always knew when I retired from playing that somewhere, some day, somehow, I would get back involved in the game.

“Sometimes, opportunities come up in your life. They did when I was a player - I was very lucky in lots of ways - and I didn’t ever want to be sat down in the future, thinking ‘If only.’”

Johnson will not tour New Zealand with England - his wife Kay will be in the latter stages of pregnancy - but his selection involvement also applies to a June 1 appointment with the Barbarians at Twickenham, plus the formulation of a 32-man elite player squad in July.