Dutchman Charles van Commenee is expected to be unveiled as Collins' replacement after the Paralympic Games ends on September 17.

 

He is currently working there as the Chef de Mission for Holland's team as part of his role as performance director for the Dutch Olympic Committee.

 

Christie told Sky News: "I don't have a favoured candidate but I think I could do the job very well and there are a lot of ex-athletes out there who could do a very good job. " 

 

Christie was controversially given a mentoring role by Collins when he took over in 2005 despite his conviction in 1999 for taking anabolic steroids.

 

When the contract ended earlier this year UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos refused to renew it.

 

Christie said: "The problem with our sport is a lot of people who run it work for the sport but are not really in it.  

 

"I think we need to get ex-sports people who understand athletics to come back in and run our sport."  

 

Christie claimed that getting rid of the performance director after Britain won only four medals in Beijing, one short of the target set by Government agency UK Athletics, would not necessarily guarantee success at London in 2012. 

 

He said: "It doesn't really mean because Dave Collins has gone that things are going to be better.

 

"I think Dave was doing a very good job but he was always looking over his shoulder - when it was going to end.

 

"He couldn't really relax.  

 

"There are a lot more people I feel need to go, rather than Dave Collins.  

 

"But saying that, we have still got to be positive and whoever comes in we have got to work with him.".