Martin Johnson will have a virtual blank cheque as team manager to restore England's fortunes and ensure they can challenge for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. Francis Baron the RFU's chief executive, said that Johnson, who made his first public appearance yesterday since his appointment, would have everything he needed to deliver success on the international stage supported by the formidable Twickenham machine.

Baron, who famously bankrolled Sir Clive Woodward's World Cup triumph, said that the cost of running the senior England team over the four-year cycle to 2007 in France averaged £5million annually and the sums spent since Woodward's days over the comparable period had risen 76 per cent. But the sport's richest union, which made an operating profit of £29million last year on record turnover of £105million, can afford it, even if the cost of the delayed new South Stand Hotel is eating into its £30million cash pile. With the prospect of lucrative autumn internationals against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa - each will generate a profit of £8million - money will not be a problem.

Baron, who in 2000 famously clashed with Johnson over the principle of a few hundred pounds when the latter was England captain, said: “We have never stumped on our international and senior team and we never will. We will support Martin to the hilt on any sensible proposal. He will have what he wants. You don't invest in someone like Martin and not provide him with the money to make it happen. 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.”

Johnson is looking at a new training centre to end the team's nomadic existence during which they have been based at Loughborough and Bath Universities and Bisham Abbey in the past three years. He also wants a high-profile, experienced backs coach, who, if the right candidate can be found before the tour to New Zealand, will be appointed next month, and an overhaul of the medical and support systems. Other coaches may also be brought on board.

If Johnson, who has signed a contract up to December 2011 worth more than £350,000 a year, can wave his magic wand, the commercial spin-offs will be huge. His appointment has created a feel-good factor. On the day it was confirmed he was taking over, ticket sales for England's game against the Barbarians on June 1 shot up “considerably”, Baron said.

At a packed press conference Johnson sat between Baron and Rob Andrew, the director of elite rugby, and made clear his vision for England and moved to dampen rampant expectation. He did not make rash promises about winning World Cups and recognised that it will take hard work and dedication to drag England back to the pinnacle of the game.

“I go into this with my eyes wide open,” Johnson said. “It is a fact I have no coaching or management experience but I have got a lot of experience in rugby union in the last 16 years. This game is always about players - it is not about the ego of coaches, that sometimes gets overplayed. It is about creating the environment where these guys can thrive and play. It is about team culture and I think I can be part of that.”

Baron said Johnson possessed all the right credentials. “Nothing is risk-free in life,” he said. “In the next year to 18 months, you'll find Martin will grow into all aspects of the job.” He did admit that Johnson's drawn-out appointment process, littered with speculation and leaks in the media, which he said would be investigated, had not reflected well on the RFU.

He, Andrew and Johnson expressed sympathy for Brian Ashton, who is expected to take up an expanded role of National Academy director with a wider brief to include the Saxons, and would not resort to legal action after his dismissal as head coach.