John Terry admits his ultimate ambition is to one day return to Chelsea as manager, although he accepts this will only be possible in the distant future.
The former England international captain ended a 22-year association with the Stamford Bridge club at the end of last season, when he bowed out upon the expiry of his contract. Rather than hang up his boots the 36-year-old feels he still has much to contribute, and not wanting to play against his beloved Blues, he snubbed a Premier League return to instead sign for Aston Villa.
Terry’s immediate aim is to help the Midlands giants return to the top-flight, and this is something he aims to achieve during his one-year contract. But looking further ahead, the defender admits his dream ambition is to one day return to Chelsea as manager, although he accepts this will not be possible until he has gained sufficient and successful experience elsewhere.
Asked about becoming Blues boss, Terry said: “That’s a goal. Me and Lamps [Frank Lampard] have had those conversations. Do you dream too big? I don’t think you can ever dream too big. I’ve always wanted to be the very best and if that’s in management then Chelsea’s the one. That would be incredible but I realise as well you can’t go in somewhere like Chelsea as your first job.
“You need to go and learn, whether that’s in the academy like Stevie [Gerrard] is doing. It’s difficult to get jobs. I see a lot of players from my generation not walking into jobs that maybe I thought they would get. So I think you need to go out and do your work and put your minutes in on the pitch and make your mistakes that no one sees so that when you do go in, you’re kind of ready.”
