Sir Clive Woodward has announced he is to leave the British Olympic Association after six years with the organisation.

The former England rugby World Cup winning manager will retain an ambassadorial role with Team GB and his seat on the International Olympic Committee's entourage commission.

Former Saints performance director Woodward, whose position as the BOA's director of sport had been under threat after a restructuring programme was agreed last month by the board of the cash-strapped organisation, will now concentrate on his media and speaking commitments.

He had been deputy chef de mission for the summer Olympics in Beijing and London, and the winter Games in Vancouver.

Woodward said in a statement: ''I have enjoyed being a part of Team GB enormously.

''To have been involved in three Olympic Games, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and especially London 2012, and chef de mission for the 1st Youth Winter Games in Innsbruck this year, has been an amazing experience.

''The challenge of delivering a home Olympic Games to our largest ever Olympic Team has been exhilarating and I would like to congratulate everyone concerned on the best Olympic performance of a host nation in the modern Games era.

''Post London 2012 is the right time for me to leave the BOA, which is now taking a new direction following a home Games and I wish them all well in the future.''

Woodward will continue to chair the review of British Judo.

He added: ''I am also delighted to accept a role as a Team GB Ambassador, this along with my position on the IOC entourage commission means that I will be staying in close contact with the Olympic world.

''I will now be concentrating on my coaching, corporate speaking, media and other business interests.''

Sebastian Coe, who is expected to be elected as the new chairman of the BOA, had been keen to keep Woodward on in a part-time role so the fact he is maintaining some connections could mean that could still happen.

Colin Moynihan, the outgoing chairman of the BOA, paid tribute to Woodward.

He said: ''Clive's contribution to the success of Team GB and his total focus on delivering world leading BOA performance services to the athletes at Games time has been a major factor in the outstanding results of our athletes both in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

''At all times he embraced the priority the BOA attached to ensure that the athletes we selected, managed and led to the Games were the epicentre of all our work.''