Chelsea legend John Terry is set to embark on his first full-time managerial role in senior men’s football. According to reports, the former Aston Villa and Leicester City assistant has been lined-up to take charge of Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab.
Terry made 717 appearances in all competitions for the Blues in an illustrious playing career that saw him captain Chelsea to five Premier League titles, four FA Cups and three EFL Cups. The former centre-back was also a key part of the Chelsea side who won the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League, although he was suspended for the final.
Known as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players, Terry also enjoyed a long international career, making his England debut in 2003 and eventually recording 78 caps for the Three Lions, his final appearance coming in 2012.
Since retiring as a player, Terry has built up an impressive coaching career which began in October 2018, when he joined Dean Smith’s coaching staff at Aston Villa. In the English Championship at the time, Terry helped Smith guide Villa to promotion via the play-offs, returning them to the Premier League after a three-year absence.
Terry left his job at the Villains in summer 2021, but would reunite with Smith for a short period earlier in this year at Leicester City, although they failed to keep the Foxes in the Premier League.
Whilst Terry has been working as an academy coach for Chelsea, the opportunity to join Al-Shabab would allow him to fulfil his ambition of becoming a manager in his own right at a club desperate for inspiration following a poor start to the season.
Al-Shabab currently sit inside the Saudi Pro League bottom three and are winless after five games with just two points to their name, which has led to the departure of Dutch head coach Marcel Keizer and opened the door for Terry to take over.
