Chelsea Legend John Terry Leaves Aston Villa Coaching Staff

Chelsea legend John Terry has left his role as an assistant manager of Aston Villa after three years at the club.

In a statement on Villa’s website, the 40-year-old said that he wants to concentrate fully on the next step of his managerial career.

“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.

“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.”

Terry admitted that he would be visiting clubs and managers around Europe to develop his goal 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.

For his part, Villa boss Dean Smith said: “I’m disappointed to lose John as part of my coaching staff but fully understand and respect his decision.

“John has played a huge role in the success the club has enjoyed over the last few years and has been very supportive to me 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.”

The former England defender joined Villa from Chelsea on a one-year contract as club captain in 2017, playing 32 games in the season.

He then returned to the club a year later, becoming assistant head coach of Dean Smith’s coaching team.

Terry helped Smith guide Villa to Premier League promotion in 2019. Villa survived relegation in the 2019/20 season and finished 11th last season.