Terry retires as he closes in on role with Henry at Villa
Former Chelsea captain steps down from playing Frenchman holds talks and may take over in days
John Terry has retired from football and is expected to be appointed Thierry Henry’s assistant at Aston Villa if the Frenchman is confirmed as manager this week.
Henry is the No1 choice of Villa’s ambitious owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, and could have his appointment confirmed in the coming days.
It is understood the legendary Arsenal forward, 41, will bring in former Chelsea and Villa captain Terry as a key member of his coaching staff and the likelihood of that appointment increased when the 37 year old confirmed he has brought his playing career to an end in an emotional Instagram post.
“As a 14-year-old, I made my best and biggest decision: to sign for Chelsea Football Club. Words will never be enough to show how much everyone at the club means to me, in particular the fans,” he said.
“Right from the outset they have given me total support, on and off the pitch, and I have a tremendous bond with them. We achieved so many great memories together and I couldn’t have succeeded without you. To me, you are the best fans in the world. I hope I have done you all proud wearing the shirt and the armband.
“My club career and heart will always belong to Chelsea, but I am grateful for my loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 1999, which was invaluable for my development as a young player. I also want to say a huge thank you to Aston Villa for giving me the opportunity to play at such a big club and captain it throughout the 2017-18 season.
“It was a privilege to represent such a renowned football club with great fans.
“I look forward to the next chapter in my life and the challenges ahead.”
That challenge may well be with Villa after the club identified Henry as their preferred managerial choice shortly after Steve Bruce’s dismissal last Wednesday, and they are understood to have held a number of positive discussions with the exfrance international. Henry works as one of Roberto Martinez’s assistants with the Belgium national team, but is open to the prospect of leaving to join Villa. Christian Purslow, Villa’s chief executive, wants to make an appointment before the Championship game against Swansea on Oct 20.
Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, was also on the list of leading contenders but is set to stay in Glasgow, paving the way for Henry to be named as Bruce’s successor.
“I’m the Celtic manager and I love it and have lots of challenges here,” Rodgers said after Celtic’s 6-0 win over St Johnstone. “Villa is a top Premier League club in the Championship and I’m sure, with their support base and resources, they will try and get back there as quickly as they can.” Villa sacked Bruce after a torrid run of results and they have won only one of the past 11 games including Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Millwall. Kevin Macdonald, the caretaker, insisted Villa is not in crisis and believes the club is set for a promotion push. “People are saying we are in a crisis, but if we hadn’t conceded so many silly goals we could be running away with it,” he said. “Somebody is going to come in, get a great start and become a big hero by getting this club back in the Premier League.”