John Terry is back in the spotlight in the Premier League after a two-year absence. Photo: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC
After a two-year absence, John Terry is back in the spotlight in the Premier League as he changes from a semi-retirement to a relegation battle at King Power Stadium.
Terry never intended to leave. turn down Dean Smith's offer to take over as first team manager at Leicester City 11 days after admitting he was 'manageally done for him'.
The former Chelsea and England captain was employed as a part-time consultant at his favorite club, Stamford Bridge, spending most of his day pacing up and down the finest fairways in Europe. Leicester are facing relegation to the Championship.
He will work closely with Smith and Craig Shakespeare to reform the trio that worked together at Aston Villa, with the initial task of using all their experience to improve Leicester's defence.
(From left to right) Dean Smith, John Terry and Craig Shakespeare worked together at Aston Villa. Photo: Jamie McFeely/NMC Pool
With the club failing to maintain a league clean sheet since 12 November, Terry should be on the fast track with only eight games left.
“I did the right thing by getting him off the golf course,” Smith said. “I think the main reason I took this job was because JT and Craig wanted to come with me too.
«We've all been through this before and come out the other side and hopefully we can do it again with Leicester.»
«It's an elite club with a fantastic training ground , and if John Terry says «Wow!», then you are doing everything right.
“When we worked together at Villa, JT helped shore up the defense and in the Premier League, [goalkeeper] Amy Martinez scored a clean sheet.
“It was thanks to the help and details that JT , Craig and I can give them myself.»
Terry often played individual meetings with central defenders at Villa and is known to have done the same with Leicester this week.
>“Deflated” due to job refusals
He is now 42 years old and retired from playing since October 2018. His experience is vast: he made over 700 appearances for Chelsea.
Although his reputation away from football has often polarized opinion, there is no doubt that he has an aura and commands respect. Sources at Leicester say he has been very approachable and dedicated this week.
Since taking his first coaching job at Villa, he has also been on the tough pitches. He once admitted that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of former England teammates Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, but was initially responsible for the «dirty work» of balls, bibs and training cones.
Terry cites the influence of coaches, including Shakespeare and Richard O'Kelly, who was previously a loyal assistant to Smith, as crucial to his coaching journey.
In June 2021, a few months after leaving from Villa, he was awarded his UEFA professional license, which allows him to be a manager in any of Europe's top five leagues.
However, he eluded being able to find that first job as No. 1 despite being that he applied for many positions in the championship and lower down. Earlier this month, he claimed that feeling of rejection «blew him away».
Terry will finally return to the technical area on Saturday at champions Manchester City, with Leicester in a grim battle for survival.
He has never relegated and doesn't want this short-term opportunity to end with an unwanted addition to his resume.
Smith also has a history of avoiding relegation after managing Villa. to a dramatic escape on the last day of the 2019-20 season
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