Aston Villa’s assistant coach John Terry looks set to remain at Villa Park after knocking back interest from Middlesbrough.
Terry joined Dean Smith on the Villa coaching staff in October and has helped guide the club back to the Premier League at the third time of asking after their 2-1 win over Derby County in the play-off final on Monday.
Middlesbrough had lined up Terry as a potential option for their vacant managerial role following the sacking of Tony Pulis, who was relieved of his duties after ‘Boro failed to make the playoffs.
However, as the Independent report, Terry is reportedly happy to continue learning the ropes as Smith’s right-hand man and is not yet thinking of taking up the hot-seat elsewhere.
Talking to the media, Terry said:
In the long run that’s obviously my ambition, but I’m not thinking that.
I’ve said as a player I got to the heights I wanted to get to and I firmly believe I’m a YTS (Youth Training Scheme) again. I’m starting right from the very bottom, I’m not afraid to say that, I’m not afraid to do all the dirty work, picking up the cones, the balls, the bibs, that’s part of my education.
I’ve got a great teacher in Dean so I’m very fortunate to be able to sit there and learn.
Despite being happy to stay where he is for now, the former Chelsea captain does admit that making the step up from assistant to head coach is something he hopes to do in the future.
I’ve always wanted to do it (coach). I think you know as a player when time’s up really.
It’s been something that I’ve been planning for a few years, and the experience and day-to-day work on the training field and what the manager allows me to do has been fantastic for me.
Middlesbrough were hoping that Terry would follow his ex-England teammates Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard into first-team management, but they will now be forced to consider other candidates.
