Sir Clive Woodward has been named as the new director of elite performance at the British Olympic Association.
Former England rugby coach Woodward, who recently left Southampton FC, will be involved with all 35 Olympic sports.
He will also be responsible for Britain's preparation camp for the Beijing Games in 2008.
Woodward said: "The prospect of working together with our elite coaches and athletes is tremendously exciting for me. It is a privilege to join the BOA."
The 50-year-old Woodward only moved into football last July after previously working in rugby union, where he led England to the World Cup in 2003 and coached the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand last summer.
"If there is one person who knows how to get the best out of elite athletes, it is Sir Clive"
But Woodward found himself increasingly marginalised at Southampton after the departure of former chairman Rupert Lowe.
It had been thought that Woodward was about to set up his own sporting consultancy business after the Rugby Football Union overlooked him for their elite director of rugby role in favour of Rob Andrew.
BOA chief executive Simon Clegg said: "I have been in discussion with Clive about his possible involvement in the development of Team GB since before the success of the London 2012 bid.
REACTION TO WOODWARD'S APPOINTMENT
"He will be a huge asset to the organisation - he will challenge our perspective, and his expertise and motivational qualities will ensure our athletes can achieve their very best performances."
Woodward came under fire after the Lions lost all three matches in the series against the All Blacks.
Welsh centre Gavin Henson criticised his preparation of the Test team and questioned his tactics and game plan, while Andrew claimed that Woodward had handled star player Jonny Wilkinson badly.
Lions legend Jim Telfer also accused Woodward of making the Lions a "laughing stock".
But Sir Steve Redgrave, five-times Olympic gold medallist and BOA vice-president, was delighted with Woodward's appointment.
He said: "If there is one person who knows how to get the best out of elite athletes, it is Sir Clive.
"I have no doubt that his influence working at the BOA will help Team GB achieve its very best potential."