Terry: Promotion could spell end for me atVilla
JOHN Terry says his sole focus is on returning Villa to the Premier League – even if it means he has to LEAVE Villa Park.
The former England captain’s reluctance to play against Chelsea, with whom he enjoyed a trophy-laden 22-year association, played a huge part in his decision to join Villa in July.
Terry had offers on the table from a number of teams in the Premier League and around Europe, including Swansea, who are managed by his former Stamford Bridge mentor Paul Clement.
But the 37-year-old couldn’t bear to play against his beloved Chelsea and opted to drop down to the Championship to work under long-time friend Steve Bruce.
“I didn’t want to play in the Prem,” said Terry. “That was a big thing for me, I didn’t want to play against Chelsea.
“But obviously I gave Clem the service because I felt I owed that to him after what he’d done for me and how he helped me growing up.
“We met and having not wanted to play against Chelsea, I’ve got to say he pushed me really close because the way he dealt with me and the process was excellent.
“But in the end I couldn’t do it.”
But what will happen if Villa, sitting fifth in the Championship after the defeat to Derby on Saturday, are promoted to the promised land – would that be the end of Terry’s career at Villa Park?
“Maybe, maybe, we’ll see,” he said.
“I think, first things first, I want to get us up, that was my big thing. We’re going okay at the minute, obviously a setback losing to Derby.
“But there are so many games and they come thick and fast in the Championship as well.” Terry has set his sights on returning to full training next week in a bid to boost Villa heading into the New Year. The skipper hasn’t played since breaking the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during the 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday at the beginning of November. His recovery has gone well, though, and he is nearing a return after six weeks on the sidelines. “I’m on the verge of getting back fit. I’m back running and hoping to join the group next week so I can be ready before the New Year and, if not then, hopefully after,” he said. Before the injury against the Owls, Terry had been ever-present for Villa in the Championship. “I’ve really enjoyed it,” he added. “It’s been a real big learning curve for me. I want to go into management so seeing a different level as well has been an eye opener for me.
“The lads are great, the manager’s fantastic, so we just need to get promoted now.”
Meanwhile, Villa are set to appoint former Middlesbrough head coach Steve Agnew to their backroom staff, it is understood.
Agnew was linked with the assistant manager’s position at Villa Park last year before the club agreed a deal to snare experienced Scot Colin Calderwood from Brighton.
But Villa manager Steve Bruce is reported to have found a vacancy for Agnew within his set-up.
The pair worked alongside one another at Hull where Agnew acted as Bruce’s assistant before linking up with Aitor Karanka at Boro in 2014.
He took charge of Boro following Karanka’s departure in March and oversaw the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
The 52-year-old is believed to have been placed on gardening leave since then as he awaits a return to coaching.