Old habits die hard... but JT insists playing days are over

JOHN TERRY admits he’s officially moved to the dark side – even with his football boots.

The former Chelsea and England skipper insists, absolutely, nothing will tempt him to return as a player at Aston Villa.

Terry announced his retirement 10 days ago and he is ready to throw his trusty white boots in the bin.

The boots ensured he got slaughtered on his first day of training in his role as joint assistant to Dean Smith this week.

Terry said: “I got a bit of stick because I was wearing white boots. The lads, the gaffer... everyone.

“I had to come over to the coaching staff and put a pair of black boots on.

“But as far as playing is concerned, that is done. That is my previous life.

“This is a new chapter for me and something I am really looking forward to.”

The 37-year-old Stamford Bridge legend said a number of his former bosses had been in touch.

Sponge

“A few have been in touch to wish me well and tell me I have come over to the dark side,” he said.

“They said that I am back to proper work. That kind of thing.

“Listen, I am doing something I love. I love football. I love being in and around it. I am here to be a sponge.

“I feel I can give back my experience of playing in the division as well and being in this dressing room last year with the majority of these players.”

Terry will work alongside Richard O’Kelly supporting new boss Smith in his bid to revive flagging Villa.

Terry says moving to the management side like former England colleagues Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard has been on his mind for four or five years.

He said: “Firstly it is good to be back though obviously in a completely different role. It is an exciting challenge for me.”

Terry has known Smith for some time and says the ex-Brentford boss has no reason to view him as a threat.

“Not at all,” he said. “It is more intimidating for me. I want to learn.

“As a player, you don’t realise the depth and the amount of work that goes into the work and the prep before.

“You turn up as a player and get on with the session. It is a real eye-opener for me.

“Obviously I have aspirations to be a manager one day. But that is four or five years away for me.”