JT’S VILLA BOOT ROOM
Terry: The lads and the gaffer gave me some stick for wearing white boots at training.. I’ve got to go to the dark side and wear black ones
JOHN TERRY admits he’s officially moved to the dark side – even in his choice of football boots.
The former Chelsea and England skipper insists there’ll be no U-turn on his retirement announcement and says he’s ready to throw his trusty white boots in the bin.
Terry’s boots ensured he got slaughtered on his very first day of training in his role as joint-assistant to new Aston Villa boss Dean Smith.
The 37-year-old, who will work alongside Richard O’kelly supporting Smith in his bid to revive flagging Villa, said: “I got a bit of stick because I was wearing white boots. From the lads, from the gaffer, from 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 Stamford Bridge legend (with his new colleagues, right) said a number of his former bosses had been in touch to wish him well on his new venture. He added: “A few have been in touch to wish me well and tell me I have come over to the dark side!
“But I am doing something I love. I love football. I love being in and around it. I am here to be a sponge.”
Terry says moving into management, like former England colleagues Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, is something that has been on his mind for the past four or five years.
The big defender, who made 32 appearances for Villa last season, said: “It is good to be back even if in a completely different role. It is an exciting challenge for me.
“Having played here, having the experience I have here and the affiliation with the fans, it was the right choice for me.”
Terry has known Smith for years and says the ex-brentford boss has no reason to fear his giant shadow.
“Not at all. It is more intimidating for me,” he said. “I want to learn. As a player you don’t realise the amount of work that goes into the preparation side.
“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 at least four or five years away.”
Terry has never been a shrinking violet but insisted that Smith, appointed last week, is the man at the helm.
But won’t he feel like his arms have been cut off, sitting in the dugout unable to cajole his men out on the pitch?
“That is the gaffer’s job,” he said. “That is what he is getting paid to do. The manager is in charge. He will be taking full responsibility in the dugout. I will listen to his orders.”