It was even suggested the 48-year-old – who masterminded last November’s World Cup triumph in Sydney – would be groomed by the Football Association as a future successor to Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Former England head coach Graham Taylor gave his backing to the idea yesterday and claimed the transition could be completed successfully if Woodward were to learn his trade at the bottom.

Opinion has been divided, however, with many critics labelling the plan ludicrous and questioning how Premiership footballers would react to the orders of a man who has spent virtually his entire sporting life in rugby.

But Woodward was anxious to point out he had no immediate ambition to become England football boss and pledged that if he did reach the top, it would be done the hard way.

“I’ve applied to do the FA grade two coaching award but I haven’t applied for the England job!

"There has been a lot of great press and banter about recently which has been fun,” he said.

“But I’m not stupid. Football is like any other sport. You only get to the top positions if you have the respect of the players you coach. In terms of football, I’m a million miles off that.

“I think I have a tremendous amount to learn from football. It’s a new challenge. But I have to start right at the bottom. I’m not sure where I’ll end up but it’s something I’m looking forward to.”

Southampton were reportedly ready to offer Woodward a director of football role at St Mary’s and while it seems unlikely the club’s board would ever back the proposal, chairman Rupert Lowe is keen to find a position for his friend.

Woodward insists he will not be joining Saints in the near future.

“I have been talking to Rupert Lowe for a long time. He contacted me a couple of years ago,” said the former Leicester and England centre.

“There have been links between our sport but certainly I’m not involved in anything to do with the first team. No role has been offered to me by Southampton.”

Woodward, who is committed to coaching the British Lions during next summer’s tour to New Zealand, admits his transition into football will take time and is by no means guaranteed to happen.

“We are a year away from me moving into the next phase of my career. I intend to do the coaching award and take it from there,” he said.

“Who knows? I might coach Maidenhead U9s! I am not actually looking for a job now. I have a job and I have offers from sport and business which I may eventually take up.”