Johnson's tenure has come under immediate pressure following back-to-back losses to Australia and South Africa leading into New Zealand's final test of the season. A win for the All Blacks will enable them to achieve a Grand Slam of the UK and Ireland for just the third time in 103 years.
The man who led England to World Cup glory in 2003 has found management a far more difficult proposition, but Fitzpatrick joined current All Blacks head coach Graham Henry and his assistant Steve Hansen in giving Johnson a vote of confidence this week.
"If anyone is going to survive what English rugby is going through it is Martin Johnson," Fitzpatrick told The Evening Standard newspaper.
"He is held in a special place and I think English rugby has come to the realisation that quality international rugby coaches are few and far between. They (the Rugby Football Union) will stick with Martin through to the 2011 World Cup."
Hansen, whose stint as head of Wales between 2002 and 2004 included an 11-match losing streak, said Johnson needed patience from his employers as he set about rebuilding the team.
"He'll end up being very good coach because of the character of the man," he said.
Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick thought that although Johnson would eventually mould a formidable outfit, it would not be this weekend.
"I'd expect the All Blacks to win by 10-15 points," he said.
"When you've been beaten 42-6 (by South Africa) it takes a little bit to get back up from that. From what I've seen the England scrum has struggled and that area is critical," he said.
"You need guys who can carry the ball but you also need people to hit rucks. They're not producing good second-phase ball either," he added.
