Martin Johnson should remain as England manager - Andrew Sheridan
Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
England prop Andrew Sheridan is backing Martin Johnson to continue as manager, despite their World Cup quarter-final exit.
The 19-12 defeat by France was only the third time in World Cup history England have failed to reach the last four.
Sheridan told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek: "I would like to see Martin Johnson continue.
"However, as players, we have to concentrate on our own job and leave the rest to other people."
The Rugby Football Union will carry out a review of England's World Cup campaign, which has been blighted by off-field problems which included captain Mike Tindall making tabloid headlines for his conduct in a bar and three other players being reprimanded after complaints from a female hotel worker, before deciding whether Johnson is to continue as manager.
Sheridan, 31, who played in England's opening-game win over Argentina before being ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury, believes the players should take more responsibility for their actions.
"Martin trusts his players and treats them like adults," said Sheridan, when quizzed on some of the inappropriate behaviour that blighted the team's stay in New Zealand.
"On days off he allows them to do what they like, within reason.
"There was a big build-up to the World Cup, based around getting our training right, and we didn't deliver as we would have liked."
Meanwhile, former England captain Fran Cotton believes the RFU needs to listen to Johnson's plans for the future before making a decision on the manager's job.
"Martin needs time to consider his own position because nobody will be more disappointed than him," he said.
"If you look at the technical aspects of England's play over the last two or three years, there are some issues that need to be resolved.
"In 2000, Sir Clive Woodward put in a world class rugby programme [that culminated in England winning the 2003 World Cup] and we need to listen and understand Martin's plans before we make any decisions."
