Woodward quit on Thursday and on Friday admitted he was interested in moving into soccer and had applied to do the Football Association grade two coaching award.

During the last week he has been linked with Premiership club Southampton - whose chairman Rupert Lowe is a close friend - in some capacity but Woodward said he had nothing planned in the near future.

However, Wilkinson is convinced his former boss will be a hit whatever he chooses to do.

I wouldnt say that I was surprised about Sir Clive Woodwards resignation. I have a lot of respect for people who have the ambition to move their goals, he told The Times.

Someone as successful and talented as Clive would want to keep moving forward the goals in his [life].

Without a doubt Clives ability as a manager makes what he wants to do very realistic.