Brian Ashton has rejected the chance to become head coach of the Rugby Football Union's national academy.

The 61-year-old was offered the post after being dismissed as England coach in April, but he has opted to concentrate on developing his own company specialising in sports and business performance instead of working with the RFU.

"I have decided not to accept the post offered to me by the RFU of Head Coach of the National Academy as this was a full time post which would not have allowed me to develop my own business and pursue other interests," Ashton said. "I have given full and careful consideration over the last two months to my future career plans and I have decided to develop my own company delivering High Level Performance processes in all areas of sporting and business life.

"I now consider it the correct time to develop more varied challenges than just dealing with professional rugby."

"We fully understand and support Brian's desire to develop his own business interests and are delighted that Brian has agreed to offer his services to us under the new consultancy agreement," Francis Baron, the RFU chief executive, said. "Brian has served the Union with distinction in a number of positions and we are pleased that his special talents, not least in the area of coaching expertise and the development of young elite athletes, will continue to be available to us through the new agreement with him."

Ashton, who led England to the World Cup final last year, has agreed to provide the RFU with a High Level Performance consultancy.