Terry plots Chelsea return as part of managerial plan

Matt Stead

John Terry is plotting a return to Chelsea this summer as part of an overall plan to manage the club one day.

Terry left Stamford Bridge in 2017 after 22 years within the club’s youth system then first team.

He has since played a key role in Aston Villa’s fight for Championship promotion, but is considering his options ahead of the end of the season.

According to the Daily Mirror, the centre-half is already planning his route to become Chelsea manager, and he ‘believes his best chance will be by progressing up their ranks as a coach’.

Terry feels he would benefit more from working within the club’s coaching structure and gradually making his way up, rather than cutting his managerial teeth elsewhere first.

The 37-year-old could potentially return as part of any restructure of Chelsea’s current coaching set-up, with Antonio Conte’s long-term future under considerable doubt.

But Terry may extend his playing career by another year if Villa earn promotion, with James Nursey writing that ‘boss Steve Bruce is likely to offer Terry a new playing deal’ if they go up.