"Martin Johnson has vowed he will give it his "absolute best" on a high-profile return to the sport as England team manager." PA Sport's Andrew Baldock reports

Johnson insists a job that could earn him about £900,000 over the three-and-a-half years of his contract is not about ego or money.

And England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain also admits he feels a degree of trepidation surrounding the task ahead.

Johnson gave his first Twickenham press conference today since his appointment was rubber-stamped by the Rugby Football Union management board.

And while many England supporters will expect immediate success under Johnson's supervision, the 38-year-old knows the road to possible World Cup success in 2011 could prove a long and winding one.

Johnson, who officially takes charge on July 1, said: ''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'.

''No person has ever done any job without making mistakes. But if you have the right intentions, and you are honest, you can live with yourself.

''I have decided to take the opportunity and have a go at it. I will give it my absolute best - it won't be for the lack of trying if it doesn't work.

''It is not an ego-driven or money-driven thing, it is about trying to do a good job.

''Of course there is trepidation - you would be foolish not to have that.

''But it is not a fear of losing my reputation, it is a fear of doing the job badly. I don't want to do the job badly.

''I never got carried away with iconic status. You need to judge yourself, and I know the truth. I was, and definitely am, human - contrary to popular belief.

''I am very happy to let everyone else take the plaudits if it goes well.

''It is about players. We want superstar players on the field who people will look to in this country and say 'aren't they great'. That would be ideal.''

Johnson will not tour New Zealand with England in June - his wife Kay will be in the latter stages of pregnancy - but he intends having a major involvement in squad selection.

That also applies to England's June 1 appointment with the Barbarians at Twickenham, plus the formulation of a 32-man elite player squad in July, when a new eight-year agreement between the RFU and Guinness Premiership clubs kicks in.

And in terms of his support staff, Johnson will move for a backs specialist to join existing coaches John Wells (forwards) and Mike Ford (defence).

Former England boss Brian Ashton, meanwhile, continues to ponder the RFU's offer of running their national academy following his removal from head coaching duties two days ago.

Assessing the backs coach situation, Johnson added: ''It is about getting the right person in there - players respond to good coaching.

''Ideally, you would have someone in by the time we go to New Zealand, but if we haven't, we haven't.

''It is not about short-term, it is about getting the right guy - it's a key appointment.

''We need a guy in there to coach the back-line and have responsibility for the attacking game, formulating it, along with everyone else.

''It is not about individual egos. Coaches have always got something they can feed in outside of their specific responsibility, and you have to encourage them to do that.''

Johnson could also find himself seeking a new captain following the knee injury suffered by 2007 World Cup skipper Phil Vickery that threatens to destroy his New Zealand tour hopes.

RFU chief executive Francis Baron, meanwhile, has dismissed any suggestion Twickenham top brass have taken a gamble on Johnson, given he has no coaching or managerial experience.

Baron said: ''I don't believe this is a gamble at all. It is the right decision.

''In the next year to 18 months, you will find Martin will grow into all aspects of the job.''

And on the issue of how much financial clout Johnson will be given, Baron added: ''The current budget for the England team is 76% higher than it was under Clive Woodward.

''We have never, ever lost matches or failed in tournaments through lack of budget.

''Martin will have the budget he needs to deliver what he needs to do to take England back to the top.''