Woodward will continue to work with the Football League Championship club as a consultant.

His future at Southampton had been in doubt since Michael Wilde replaced Rupert Lowe as chairman in June.

Lowe had employed Woodward as technical director last July and Harry Redknapp quit as manager five months later amid reports the two did not work well together.

Woodward became director of soccer when George Burley took over as manager in December and Wilde then changed Woodward's role again.

As England rugby union coach, Woodward won the 2003 World Cup. However, he missed out on a return to rugby this month when the Rugby Football Union named Rob Andrew as its elite director.

Woodward said he was ``enormously grateful'' for his time at Southampton.

``I will continue to offer my support in the role of a consultant,'' he said. ``This agreement allows me to accept offers to work with other clubs and within other sports as a consultant in sports science and elite performance.''

Wilde said Woodward had made a ``considerable difference'' to the organization of the club and its training methods.

``His inspirational qualities are matched by his desire to win and we recognize that the combination of those talents is a rare commodity and we understand that they are in high demand across all sports,'' he said.