John Terry announces decision to leave Aston Villa to pursue dream
John Terry has left his role as Aston Villa’s assistant manager, the club have announced.
The 40-year-old former England and Chelsea skipper joined Villa in the summer of 2017, taking on the captaincy.
He played 32 games for the midlands outfit in the 2017-18 season before then becoming assistant to boss Dean Smith.
Terry told Villa’s official website: “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.
“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.”
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. He 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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Terry links
Terry, who was appointed as Smith’s assistant in October 2018, was previously linked with the Bristol City job, but remained with Villa.
He was also linked with Bournemouth and Celtic.
Smith said in February: “For somebody to leave a football club and go to another one then you need them to contact us, and we haven’t been contacted so…
“I haven’t really spoken to JT about it, to be honest. The conversations I have had with JT is that when it suits everybody (he can leave).
“I’ve always said right from the outset that John Terry came here to learn about coaching. And he’s become a very, very good assistant manager to myself. But ultimately, he’s come in to learn the trade to ultimately become a number one.
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