John Terry QUITS Aston Villa in shock move, just two weeks before the season starts, with Chelsea legend planning to ‘visit clubs across Europe’ in bid to become a manager after three years as No 2
- John Terry has left Aston Villa after deciding to focus on becoming a manager
- The Chelsea legend spent three years at the club as Dean Smith’s assistant
- But he made the decision to quit Villa Park two weeks before the new season
- Terry revealed he will visit clubs across Europe as he plans his next step
Aston Villa have announced assistant manager John Terry has left the club after three years on Dean Smith‘s coaching team.
The Chelsea legend revealed he made the decision due to his desire to be a manager himself in the future, and so will travel Europe to visit various clubs ahead of making that next step.
Terry has been linked with several management in the jobs in the past, having made no secret of his desire to make the next step.
John Terry has left Aston Villa as he looks to make the step into management in the future
The Chelsea legend spent three years at Villa Park after Dean Smith brought him in as assistant
‘It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to have spent these last three years at Aston Villa, but I feel now is the right time to make the extremely difficult decision to move on,’ Terry said after leaving Villa Park.
‘I want to be as respectful to the manager and everyone at Aston Villa as I can and, having given my future serious consideration over the summer, I genuinely don’t feel it is fair to move into a new season without being certain of seeing that through.
‘My immediate plan is to spend some quality time with my family and, thereafter, hopefully take up some invitations to visit clubs and managers around Europe to develop my aim and objective of becoming a manager.
‘It has always been my ambition to move into football management and, providing the right opportunity presents itself, I feel ready to take up such a challenge.’
Terry played for Villa in the Championship in the 2017/18 season before retiring from football
The 40-year-old spent a year at Villa as a player in the 2017/18 season, with the club losing in the play-off final that campaign to Fulham.
Terry announced his retirement from football later that summer, and was appointed as Smith’s assistant shortly after.
‘I’m disappointed to lose John as part of my coaching staff but fully understand and respect his decision,’ Smith said.
‘John has played a huge role in the success the club has enjoyed over the last few years and has been very supportive of myself throughout that period. I have no doubts he will go on to be a first-class manager in his own right and wish him well for the future.’
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