Former Chelsea defender John Terry has expressed his desire to manage his beloved club but admits it may never happen.
The former England international won 15 major trophies with the Blues – five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, one Champions League and one Europa League.
Terry ventured into coaching after hanging up his boots, becoming Aston Villa’s assistant manager under Dean Smith.
He held the role for nearly three years before stepping away for personal reasons. Since then, the 44-year-old has not taken up a full managerial position.
Terry says he had a couple of interviews but was rejected because he had no experience as a number one.
He is now part-time at Chelsea’s academy, where he enjoys mentoring young players. He admits that as more time passes, his dream of managing Chelsea seems less likely.
“I still have a dream – I’d love to go in at Chelsea one day,” Terry said. “Does that happen without me doing the other levels? No, it probably doesn’t.
“So, realistically, it’s not going to happen for me. I’m comfortable with that, I’m happy, I’ve done all my badges, I’m ready. So if anything does ever come up and it’s the right opportunity, I’ll go in.”
Controversies have scuppered Terry’s hopes of managing Chelsea
Terry’s legacy at Chelsea was tarnished by several controversies, which are contributing to his struggles in securing a managerial role.
His alleged affair with teammate Wayne Bridge’s partner cost Terry the England captaincy and strained his relationship with the wider football world.
Critics argued he had fallen short of the leadership they would expect of a national team captain, undermining his status and reputation on and off the field.
Another controversy involved Anton Ferdinand – an opponent he was accused of racially abusing during a match against Queens Park Rangers.
Terry was ultimately cleared of the charges in court, but the Football Association found him guilty following a four-day hearing.
The decision stained Terry’s character and overshadowed his football achievements with Chelsea.
While he still hopes to manage the Blues, the club is unlikely to offer him the chance to fulfil his dream due to the controversies.
