Johnson has no experience coaching professional rugby

The 2003 World Cup-winning captain has been tipped for a role at the Rugby Football Union (RFU) since retiring from the sport in June 2005.

Calls for his experience to be utilised have heightened as the RFU look to build on the foundations laid at the 2007 World Cup.

"This is not the right time for me," said Johnson, 39.

Interview: Ex-England captain Martin Johnson

"People are assuming I could walk back in but it doesn't work like that.

"There's nothing to say that just because you've played at the top level you'll make a good coach or manager.

606: DEBATE I can't imagine someone I would rather lead England to the top of world rugby again but this is a time for rebuilding and it should be the responsibility of a vastly experienced coach to start that job David O, BBC Sport

"Sometimes you have the feeling that it's not the right time to get involved.

"I think I retired at the right time and I think I'll know when it's the right time to come back."

Rob Andrew, the RFU's director of elite rugby, is due to announce in mid-December the findings from his review of the World Cup.

England progressed to the final in France despite woeful performances in their opening two pool matches.

Andrew is keen to ensure the mistakes made following England's 2003 triumph, when they plummeted down the world rankings, are not repeated in the build-up to the 2011 tournament in New Zealand.

"There's a perception that I will turn up and everything will be all right," said Johnson.

"When things are going badly for England the coaches will not tell the players anything different to what I'd tell them.

"I've not coached any rugby team let alone the England team.

"It's a very interesting time because a lot of the older players who started in the World Cup final naturally will be finishing their careers in the next year to 18 months.

Rob Andrew is already planning for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand

"It's very important that transition gets managed and I think we need an experienced guy in there that can do that.

"I'm not an experienced manager or coach so I'm sort of ruling myself out with the word experience.

Andrew will issue recommendations on the make-up of the coaching team, with coach Brian Ashton expected to be retained.

The former England fly-half may move to a more hands-on role within the team and it has been reported that a team manager will be appointed.

Since retiring, Johnson has had no direct involvement in professional rugby, instead spending time with his family, pursuing commercial interests and fulfilling a number of ambassadorial and media commitments.

"If I ever got involved as manager of England then I'd want to do it with a bit of experience behind me," said the former Leicester lock.

"I'd never be arrogant enough to assume that I could go in and be a national coach or manager without any experience."

Johnson, who has also been touted for a position with the British and Irish Lions for their tour to South Africa in 2009, added: "You've got to want to go and do something.

"You've got to have a passion and enthusiasm to get back involved. When I get that feeling, I'll look to get back involved.

"Playing the game is what I got involved in rugby for. I didn't get involved so that one day in the long term I could go and coach."