Aston Villa defender John Terry is expected to take a coaching position at Chelsea and end his playing career after this season. The Aston Villa defender is 37 and is out of contract at the end of the current Championship season.
John Terry back to Chelsea?
Terry joined Aston Villa in the summer of 2017 on a free transfer. However, it has long been expected he would return to Chelsea and assume a coaching role.
Aston Villa are currently fighting for promotion from the Championship. The side are fourth in the league, and look likely of securing a spot in the promotion playoffs, although automatic promotion isn’t out of the question yet. Terry has played 29 times for Aston Villa. The team’s defence has given up just 37 goals and Villa have posted a +24-goal difference.
Even if Aston Villa are promoted to the Premier League, there is no guarantee Terry would join the squad in the top-flight. Terry has previously stated he would never play against the Blues.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has spoken about Terry moving into club coaching and management as his next move in football.
“Without question he’s going to have a crack at it, without question he’ll have a go, and rightly so,” Bruce said.
“I’ve said many times to many of our top, top players go and sit with you guys.
“I can understand that because 20 years ago I was very close to signing a deal with Sky. It was either sign a deal with Sky or go to Wigan. I decided to have one more crack.
“I thought management was really for me after my first two jobs and John Benson and Dave Whelan showed me what it was like to be the manager and that set me on my path. I’m glad I did it.
“It’s a tough gig but very enjoyable – apart from on a Saturday afternoon.
“That’s the next step. In terms of coaching, I think that’s coming next [for Terry] at the turn of the year. Let’s get his bloody foot ready first, though!”
In February, the Daily Mail reported Terry believes it will be easier to manage Chelsea one day, if he coaches at the club first. The website also reported Terry is extremely keen on managing the Blues one day. With current manager Antonio Conte expected to depart after the season, Terry could have an opportunity to manage the club sooner rather than later.