Bath Director of Rugby Sir Ian McGeechan has admitted that he was "disappointed" by Martin Johnson's resignation as England coach.

Johnson stepped down from the post on Wednesday following a poor showing on and off the field at this year's World Cup.

"Johnno's such an honest person," said McGeechan, who chose Johnson as captain for the Lions' tour of South Africa in 1997. "Obviously, he'll feel he's taken responsibility for the performance and the things that happened but I think there are a few more people who have got to look much harder at themselves about what happened.

"Reading between the lines, I think that he's probably put a lot of himself in there and not necessarily got the same back. From some.

"I'm very disappointed. For me, Martin was one of the strong personalities who could be building England and taking the game forward. I think it's a great shame that it's not going to happen."

Former Italy coach Nick Mallett ruled himself out of the running to become the next England coach on Wednesday night.