Ex-Chelsea captain John Terry leaves Aston Villa

Aston Villa have announced assistant manager John Terry has left the club after three years on Dean Smith’s coaching team.

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The Chelsea legend revealed he made the decision due to his desire to be a manager himself in the future, and so will travel Europe to visit various clubs and managers.

Terry has been linked with several clubs in the past, having made no secret of his desire to make the next step.

‘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,’ Terry said after leaving Villa Park.

‘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.’

The 40-year-old spent a year at Villa as a player in the 2017/18 season, with the club losing in the play-off final that campaign to Fulham.

Terry announced his retirement from football later that summer, and was appointed as Smith’s assistant shortly after.

‘I’m disappointed to lose John as part of my coaching staff but fully understand and respect his decision,’ Smith said.

‘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.’