England coach Brian Ashton has been reappointed on an "indefinite" contract, elite rugby director Rob Andrew has confirmed.

The Rugby Football Union yesterday announced Ashton would be retained following the conclusion of Andrew's post-World Cup review.

Ashton will now be in charge for the foreseeable future, with the RFU having not put a fixed term on his contract.

Andrew said: "It is very straightforward as far as the contractual situation is concerned. The contract is an indefinite contract, with no time limit. He might be here in 2015. It has a notice period, like all contracts have."

Andrew also claimed too much had been made of the review, which he pointed out is something the RFU now routinely carry out after any major tournament or tour.

Ashton's coaching methods came under fire during the World Cup and, particularly afterwards, in books written by players Lawrence Dallaglio and Mike Catt.

Andrew added: "I am not going to go into the details of the review. It has been overplayed in some quarters. We carried out a review in the autumn last year and after the Six Nations.

"It is slightly more detailed and has taken longer than the previous two reviews, but they form part of what we do."

Ashton, who took on the job a year ago after the departure of Andy Robinson, has set a series of goals leading up to the 2011 World Cup.

The former Bath coach said: "I'm obviously absolutely delighted to be asked to continue. It is a fantastic honour to be in this position in any sport in this country.

"I feel very proud and am looking forward to getting on with it.

"I look at the way forward in three stages. In 2008 there is the Six Nations and the New Zealand tour, the next period is to the end of the 2009 Argentina tour and then we ought to be in a good position to move forward to the 2011 World Cup.

"There are short, medium and long-term objectives over the next four years."

Andrew and Ashton will now work together to assemble a management team around the England side.

There have been suggestions a manager could be brought in to ease the burden on Ashton but no announcement has been made.

Andrew said: "It could still happen. We have got quite a lot Brian and I need to fill in moving forward.

"This is not the end of the decision-making process, it is just the start. But that is something for Brian and I to discuss and for Brian to tell me what he wants."