Terry Set for Chelsea Return after Five Years

John Terry is reportedly set for a Chelsea return after five years away from Stamford Bridge, with the club legend expected to take on a coaching role with the Blues’ academy.

Terry, 41, left the club in 2017 and has sought to carve out a career in coaching. He spent three years at Aston Villa as assistant to manager Dean Smith, before leaving last summer.

The former England captain stepped away from his role at Villa Park to tour Europe in order to study other coaching styles and has been waiting to see if other head coach roles become available.

According to The Athletic, Terry will return to west London to assist the youth development side of his former club Chelsea.

The outlet reports that the ex-defender has registered an interest in a number of vacancies in the English game – confined to the top two divisions – but ‘was politely let down’.

Having seen former team-mates Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard take their first steps in management just outside the Premier League, Terry is hopeful that he can follow in a similar vein, beginning at a second-tier club.

While it is reported that Terry was ‘politely let down’ for various roles, it is suggested that he is prepared to bide his time before selecting his first head coach role.

It is understood that a second tier club with a low budget does not appeal to the Blues legend, and he would rather take on a project with enough financial backing to allow him to develop his vision and identity.

The 41-year-old still lives within a stone’s throw from Chelsea’s Cobham training base and it is reported that his close ties with former team-mates Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini – who occupy roles at the club – and academy director Neil Bath, has helped him make a return to his old club.