John Terry signs new Aston Villa contract, ends Chelsea, Derby County speculation

Former Chelsea defender and current Aston Villa assistant coach John Terry was recently linked with the head coaching job at Derby County, which is expected to open up very soon, when Frank Lampard accepts Chelsea’s offer. Further speculation potentially linking JT with a return to Chelsea, even, wasn’t far behind either, especially as we’re seemingly ready to get all the Old Guard back to the Bridge in coaching or technical roles.

But that’s not on the cards for JT at the moment, and neither is the Derby job. Today, Terry, who recently made it clear he’s in no rush to move up the managerial ladder, extended his tenure at Villa as assistant coach to Dean Smith. As noted by former Chelsea head of global commercial activities and current Villa CEO, Christian Purslow, Terry wants to keep learning.

“The Board of Aston Villa is delighted with John Terry’s contribution to our club in his first year as an Assistant Head Coach. We admire his dedication and commitment to gaining more experience and learning under Dean Smith’s leadership in these formative years of his managerial career.”

-Christian Purslow; source: Aston Villa

Terry has been instrumental in Villa achieving promotion last season and choosing to stay for their first season back in the Premier League is probably the best option for him personally as well.

“I am really pleased that JT has extended his current deal as he is a pleasure to work with. We have had a successful start to our Villa coaching careers and JT has been instrumental in joining myself, Richard O’Kelly and Neil Cutler.

”He has complimented the team that we have and I have no doubts he will go on to be a top manager in the years to come. Our focus now is on the coming season and to try to continue the progress we have had in the past eight months.”

-Dean Smith; source: Aston Villa

So, no comeback for Terry ... yet. But we will see him paying a visit to Stamford Bridge at least once this season, on the opposite bench.