JT to put managerial plans on hold EVISION
Sky tempt Terry with offer to replace Thierry as top pundit
JOHN TERRY has called time on his playing career – and may put his managerial ambitions on the back burner for a megabucks role in television. The former Chelsea legend was steeling himself to take his first steps into coaching. But an offer in front of the screen has been set before him, leaving him with a decision to make. Terry officially left Aston Villa when his contract expired last month, and has received offers to stay in the game as a player from all over the globe. But after a glittering – and occasionally controversial – career he has now decided to hang up his boots. He wanted to make his way in management but this latest bid for his services has prompted a rethink. Thierry Henry’s defection from Sky has left a void that Terry would be able to fill, working alongside fellow ex-england team-mates Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher. Arsenal icon Henry (right) has stepped to one side to pursue his own ambitions of being a No.1 – and his old foe is now faced with the same choice. Originally, Terry wanted to move into management and had made little secret of that fact. He is currently on holiday in Portugal and was thinking about coaching roles before this potential television gig landed in his lap.
Nevertheless, Terry’s move away from playing brings to an end a glorious career.
The centre-half captained Chelsea to five Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and also tasted success in the Europa League and Champions League.
He made over 500 appearances for the club during a love affair that lasted well over two decades.
He had wanted one glorious swansong – and chose to try and help Steve Bruce return Aston Villa to the big time.
Ironically, it was Chelsea’s neighbours Fulham who put paid to that idea when they defeated Villa in the play-off final two months ago.
The option was there for Terry to earn another decent pay day but he has chosen, at the age of 37, to step aside.
The former Champions League winner has been putting in the groundwork ahead of his career change for some time.
Sabbatical
And he can count on learning from such managerial greats as Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho from his decades of success at Stamford Bridge. However, he is keen to put in the hard yards before trying to land his first post. And there is every indication that if he does not move into punditry that he will undergo a sabbatical before moving into any managerial post. His old Chelsea colleague Frank Lampard has already made his mark, taking over at Championship club Derby County. Terry is in no hurry to cut short his break but has a big decision to make over his future during the coming days.