Andy Robinson will resign as England's head coach on Monday, BBC Sport understands.
The Rugby Football Union will offer Robinson the same compensation package as it would have had he been sacked.
Robinson had insisted he would stay on, despite England losing for the eighth time in nine matches to South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.
But on Sunday an RFU source told BBC Sport that Robinson would be asked to resign or else face the sack.
World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson is understood to be first choice to step into the breach.
If he is not available, former Wasps and Ireland coach Warren Gatland or ex-South Africa coach Nick Mallett will come into the frame.
England have lost 13 of their 22 Tests under Robinson - including three of this month's four autumn internationals - and have slumped to seventh in the IRB world rankings.
Robinson's team were booed off the pitch by the Twickenham crowd for the second time in three matches after their 25-14 defeat against South Africa on Saturday.
Former Bath coach Robinson was assistant coach to Sir Clive Woodward and a key part of the coaching team which won the World Cup in 2003
And when Woodward resigned in September 2004, Robinson was the RFU's unanimous choice to take over.
The 42-year-old, who has a contract until June 2008, has led England to two consecutive fourth place finishes in the Six Nations, and has won just one away match.
The RFU conducted a review after the 2006 Six Nations, and Robinson survived despite assistant coaches Phil Larder, Dave Alred and Joe Lydon all losing their jobs.
Brian Ashton (attack), John Wells (forwards) and Mike Ford (defence) have since been appointed under Robinson, while Rob Andrew has taken on the elite director of rugby role.
But the changes have failed to spark a revival in England's fortunes, and former England captain Will Carling said Robinson would have to go.
"I'm an England fan and after the four games in November, I haven't witnessed a lot of improvement," he told Sportsweek.
"I think it is time for a change in the coach - not because of the last four games, or even the last two games, but because of the last two years.
"If you look at England over the last two years, we don't seem to have any combinations that are working and Andy Robinson has to take responsibility for that."
But Carling said there needed to be much greater clarity in terms of the specific job description of anyone brought in to replace Robinson.
"I don't believe we need another coach - we need a manager," said Carling.
"We need someone who can get the environment right and I think Martin Johnson would be good for that.
"But whether he wants to step straight into that is another thing. He's got some superb qualities, but it depends what the remit of the job is."
Johnson has gone on record as saying Robinson should be replaced.
First published on the BBC Website|