'I got very close' – John Terry reveals he nearly managed club before deal collapsed
03/26/2025 12:30 PM
Chelsea legend John Terry says he came ‘very close’ to becoming the manager of Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Shabab in 2023, only for the deal for fall through ‘at the last minute’.
Terry brought an end to his illustrious playing career at Aston Villa in 2018 and is remembered as one of English football’s greatest ever central defenders.
Shortly after his retirement, Terry returned to Villa Park to become Dean Smith’s assistant, helping the club win promotion back to the Premier League before leaving the role in 2021.
The former England captain followed Smith to Leicester City two years later and has also worked with Chelsea’s academy in various guises down the years, as both a coach and in a consultancy capacity.
The 44-year-old is still waiting for his big break as a number one in the world of management but very nearly joined Steven Gerrard in taking on a job in the Saudi Pro League in September 2023.
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However, the proposed agreement collapsed and Al-Shabab went on to hire ex-Liverpool midfielder Igor Biscan, who lasted just two months in the hot seat.
‘I got very close with that and things got moved at the last minute, which meant it didn’t go through,’ Terry told The Sun.
‘I’ve done my badges. I’m ready. If the right opportunity comes up, and it has to be the right opportunity in terms of squad, location, I’m all ears.
‘I’m watching every game of football I can possibly watch. I’ve still got my eyes in it.
‘There will come a point for me when I need to say: “that’s it”.’
Terry is confident he now has the experience, passion and drive to manage a top team and is just waiting for the right opportunity to arise.
‘You have to be obsessed with it and I’m still obsessed with it,’ he added.
‘I’m analysing games, I’m reviewing stuff, I’m doing online courses and all of that to be a better coach or a better manager that I can be.
‘So who knows if that opportunity comes along? I’ve got a lot to give. I know that I’ve managed dressing rooms and groups before.
‘I led Chelsea for 22 years. So to get thrown at me that I’ve got no experience as a number one is a little bit baffling.’
The five-time Premier League winner has ambitions to coach at the very highest level and ‘dreams’ of managing Chelsea in the future.
‘I have a dream of managing Chelsea one day and that’s the ultimate for me,’ he continued.
‘Would I love to be part of it? Of course I would. Chelsea’s my club.’
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