John Terry reveals why he is leaving Aston Villa with the news of his departure now confirmed by the Premier League club.
The 40-year-old has decided to step down this summer as he looks to move into management during the 2021-22 season.
He joined the backroom staff in October 2018 after helping the club win promotion in his final playing season at Villa in 2017-18.
At the time of his departure, betting suspended on him getting the job at Swansea City, after a surprise U-turn saw John Eustace turn it down. Jody Morris is also listed as the second favourite.
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John said: “It has been a tremendous honour and privilege to have spent these last three years at Aston Villa, but I feel now is the right time to make the extremely difficult decision to move on.
“I want to be as respectful to the manager and everyone at Aston Villa as I can and, having given my future serious consideration over the summer, I genuinely don’t feel it is fair to move into a new season without being certain of seeing that through.
“My immediate plan is to spend some quality time with my family and, thereafter, hopefully take up some invitations to visit clubs and managers around Europe to develop my aim and objective of becoming a manager.
“It has always been my ambition to move into football management and, providing the right opportunity presents itself, I feel ready to take up such a challenge.
“I would like to thank Christian Purslow and our owners, Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity.
“And I will forever be indebted to the Gaffer for giving me the opportunity to start my coaching career at such a wonderful club. I have loved every minute of it and learnt so much.
“I can’t thank Dean enough for the support and guidance he has provided me with and I’m sure he will continue to lead the club from strength to strength.
“Finally, I would also like to thank all the players and staff and wish them all the very best for the season ahead and say a huge thank you to the wonderful Aston Villa fans for their support.”
Dean Smith said: “I’m disappointed to lose John as part of my coaching staff but fully understand and respect his decision.
“John has played a huge role in the success the club has enjoyed over the last few years and has been very supportive of myself throughout that period. I have no doubts he will go on to be a first-class manager in his own right and wish him well for the future.”
Fans reacted as John Terry reveals why he is leaving Aston Villa, take a look at what they had to say below…
We do not care pic.twitter.com/tlBJqPR7dk
— Olly (@OllyAVFC_) July 26, 2021
@Sheldwardo34: Is he moving to Swansea?
@djbpunkrock: Having disliked John Terry as a player for Chelsea I feel I must say how impressed I was in the 1st season he had with us. Helped Chester have his best ever season. Terry has been immense for us and obviously my opinion has changed. What a miss this is going to be. Good luck JT
@PhillPhillbull: A player and person I never wanted anywhere near Aston villa! How wrong I was you have been a leader on the pitch and showed players how to be the best they can. A true professional and I thank you for your service. Best of luck in your new adventure
@ArborCorpKorea: Really gutted about this, he worked wonders with the defence last season. Wish you all the best JT, no doubt a successful managerial career awaits you 💜💙
@AlexAstonVilla: We will never forget how passionately you celebrated that goal against Arsenal
@fanboy82: Good luck JT, I’m sure you’ll be a massive success in your next role whatever you choose to do
@RichiBoi11: This guy is going to go on and become a very astute manager, thanks for the service as both a player and an assistant!
@TheVillaDecree: Thank you for everything JT!! I’m sure many points won have been down to the winning, see games out attitude you brought to the camp. Thank you and good luck!
@HarryUTV: Interesting. Swansea?
@Nathhhavfc: I’m actually gonna miss him
@Falklander365: Ah terrible news 😔, thank you JT for all the years and the key role you played to get us back where we belong, always welcome at the Villa any day
@JBaker_24: We were always a stepping stone to a managers job, looks like Swansea I’d imagine #AVFC
@jonesy73: How great was it to see JT in a Villa shirt. Lifted the level of professionalism when it was required the most. Will never forget the sight of him heading to The Holte End at fulltime, after another 3 points with Don’t Look Back In Anger belting out. #OnceAVillanAlwaysAVillan 🦁👍
@Danny_McMoomins: Must have a slot on GB News.
@TheWillRoss: So long JT great to have a legend at the club as a player & coach, good luck in your management career
@georgeprokopa: Oh shit, Swansea then?
@TheAsgardian: Was great to have him at Villa; as one of my favourite ever players it was surreal to see him involved in claret and blue – so I’m sad to see him go, but it’s totally understandable, and he certainly played a big part when we needed it most. Thanks for everything, JT 💜💙
@AndreVillaGamer: Thank you JT, gone to pursue his own managerial ambitions which is fair enough and has done so without a huge fuss or any reprocess-ions mid season. Wish him all the best!
@will_avfc: Good luck JT, still shocked he even signed for us 😍 all the best.
@CalFergie: Very out the blue this… been great to have his experience at the club and can only assume he’s getting a managerial position somewhere #AVFC
@LilleyCashAVFC: Hopefully giving us the bad news before the good 👀💜💙 #avfc
@splanty19: Good luck JT, made no secret of his desire to manage so no surprise. Had plenty of stick in our near relegation season, but like all coaches needed the right players to work with as shown last season. I hope covid doesn’t scupper the opportunity to travel & learn.
@ViIlaI_: I say we get Wayne Bridge in now
@elliottavfc: JT done a great job at his time with the club, all the best 👏🏻 #AVFC
@connordabra: All the best JT! Might be remembered as a Chelsea legend, but the shift he put in as a player for Villa, and his incredible work in help shape our current squad is nothing short of incredible 💜💙 #AVFC
@VillansOpinions: It is what it is. Good luck GOAT 🐐
@iamivank: Great player, sometimes obnoxious personality & not sure how to rate his contribution as assistant but thanks for the contribution to getting us back to where we belong.
@catrinedwards18: will be a big loss actually
@moore_tomas: Disappointing news but a top professional. Huge part of where Villa are now. Will become an excellent manager
@thawkeswood: Gutted he has left. I wish you the best in your next role and thank you for helping to restore the club back in the Prem. Thank JT
@AvfcU: All the best JT. Did a lot of good for our club #avfc
Twitter reaction continued as John Terry reveals why he is leaving Aston Villa…
@lukey_83: Off to Swansea then
@TheVillaYamYam: Gutted but he goes with all Villa fans wishing him all the best for the future #avfc #utv
@1LouisK: It was inevitable he’d leave us eventually, as sudden as this is. Villa will move on, but I think it’s safe to say we’re better for having had JT at the club. #AVFC
@UTVilla10: Leaving now instead of halfway through the season shows what a class act he is
@EdWilson87: All the best, JT. To have one of the most accomplished England defenders not only play for us but help coach us back to the Premier League and help consolidate back there has been quite surreal. His attitude towards helping and fighting for Villa has been evident #AVFC #UTV
@bozzystuff: Thank you JT. One of the real pivotal arrivals that changed the culture of this club from serial losers to a club that knew how to win. Forever a Villan
@WHUFCallum_: Considering the amount of time and effort he puts into new courses and coaching, I assume he will be going for a manager/head coach role somewhere. Interested to see where he ends up as I think he will become a decent manager
@MrMWB: Can’t knock his commitment to us this past few years, he was obviously going to leave at some point and he’s done the right thing by not going half way through a season. Wish him well in his future as a manager. #avfc
@HeartOfTheHolte: JT provided some much needed professionalism when joining the club. To say one of England’s greatest defenders has played for your club is truly remarkable. His winning mentality has been crucial to the clubs fortunes changing #AVFC
@Noodles2312: Farewell JT – wishing you all the very best #UTV
Will miss seeing you at VP JT, but it was inevitable you would move on. wish you all the best. Good luck! I’m not crying, you are 😔 pic.twitter.com/lyjTO6Cscm
— Shevillala (@Shevillala) July 26, 2021
Best of luck in the future JT 👍
Worked wonders with the defence, provided great experience for the young lads and showed immense passion throughout his time here.
Will no doubt make an very good manager, I imagine a few clubs may be after him. #AVFC #UTV https://t.co/po6TXmDQw5 pic.twitter.com/2ZGh7lmFxw
— Jack Jennings (@JackJenningss_) July 26, 2021
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