John Terry has said he plans to follow Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard into management “in the long run” after holding talks with Middlesbrough last week regarding their vacancy.
Terry, who joined Dean Smith’s backroom staff at Aston Villa in October, said he had enjoyed a “great first year” of coaching, which culminated in a play-off victory against Derby County. Terry celebrated Villa’s Premier League return as an assistant coach at Wembley on Monday, a year on from his final game as a player.
“It is just great to see young managers like Stevie and Lamps getting the opportunities,” said Terry, the 38-year-old former Chelsea captain. “In the long run obviously that is my ambition but I’m not thinking about that. As a player I got to the heights I wanted to get to but, and I firmly believe this, I’m a YTS again.
“I’m starting right from the very bottom and I’m not afraid to say that. I’m not afraid to do all the dirty work – picking up the cones, the balls and the bibs; all of that stuff is part of my education. I’ve got a great teacher in Dean and Richard [O’Kelly, the assistant coach] as well to bounce things off. I’m very fortunate to be able to sit there and learn from them because they are superb.
“I think you know as a player when time is up really and I kind of knew that last year in my last game at Wembley. It is something I have been planning for a few years and the experience and the day-to-day work on the training field with the defenders and the group, and what the manager allows me to do, has been fantastic for me.”
Terry said he believed promotion will enable Villa to retain their prized assets, including the captain, Jack Grealish, who joined the club aged six. “It is great that we have gone up and we get to keep the likes of Jack, John McGinn and our top players. It’s Jack’s football club – he’s been here right from when he was a boy and it’s great to see. We are not just going in to make the numbers up. We have players out of contract and we need to strengthen to make the jump of course but, if we add in the right departments, I’m sure we will be fine.”
Terry said that, although it was tough for Lampard’s first season in management to end in defeat, he should be commended for an “incredible” campaign. Terry revealed he went into the Derby dressing room after the game to speak to Lampard, the assistant manager Jody Morris, the first-team coach, Chris Jones, and the defender Ashley Cole, good friends from his 22 years at Chelsea. “He has got a great future in management, for sure,” Terry said of Lampard.
Tammy Abraham, who has been on loan at Villa from Chelsea, has made it clear he wants to play first-team football in the top flight next season. Villa are understood to be keen on signing the striker in a £25m permanent deal.
With Chelsea facing a two-window Fifa transfer ban, Abraham is among the youngsters hoping to benefit from more first-team opportunities. If called on, he is adamant he could lead the line.
“Every player wants to start,” he said. “Obviously if it is at Chelsea a team like Chelsea is always difficult because they have got world-class players. It is always going to be difficult to bring in youngsters and bring in people like myself. It is a big role.
“But for me it is about believing in myself and to just keep doing what I do. I am still young and I am still improving. The aim is to be at the highest level and playing the best football and, if Chelsea say they need me there, I will put 100% in.
“I am a person who believes in myself. So, wherever I am at, I believe I will get in and play and score goals.” Asked if he could return to Villa next season, the 21-year-old replied: “You can never say never.”
