Sir Clive Woodward is tipped to take charge of the British Olympic squad in 2012 as replacement to the team chief Simon Clegg who quit today.

The man who coached England to victory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup could become the next chef de mission for the British Olympic Association, having served as deputy at the Beijing Olympics.

Sir Clive is the BOA's director of elite performance, devising a coaching scheme aimed at boosting the 2012 medal haul.

An appointment as chef de mission is not imminent but Sir Clive is favourite to take the job of leading the home team of around 700 athletes in 2012.

“It would be a natural fit although no appointment is imminent,” said a source.

Clegg announced his departure just months after he was stripped of the role of the BOA's chief executive.

Clegg said it had been “the right time” to move on to new challenges after he helped Great Britain to their best medal for 100 years in Beijing.